Status and prospects of Russian nuclear power industry development

Full text: In 2003 there were 30 nuclear power units with total (gross) capacity of 22,2 GW (e) in operation at ten Russian NPPs (Balakovo, Bilibino, Beloyarsk, Kalinin, Kola, Kursk, Leningrad, Novovoronezh, Smolensk and Volgodonsk). They have generated 148,6 billions kWh, or ∼16,5% of total energy production by all Russian power plants, whereas the nuclear plant share of total installed capacity was equal ∼11%. Starting from 1998 the nuclear power plants provide an average annual growth rate about 9 billions kWh having covered the electricity demand increase in European Russia up to 50% in average. The electricity and heat production in 2003 is equivalent to a saving of more than 40 billions m3 of gas (30% of gas consumption by Russian power industry). The long-term balance of Russian fuel resources envisages enhancement of the energy generation framework, in particular, by advance raise of electricity generation by nuclear power plants and by more comprehensive utilization of potential of hydropower industry. As a result of accomplished multi-factor optimization of the fuel resource balance the priorities for territorial siting of power generating facilities have been established: thus, in European Russia it is expedient to develop electric power industry by means of technical retrofitting of existing thermal power plants, creation of combined steam/gas installations of necessary capacity and maximum possible development of nuclear power plants, which would substantially cover the electricity demand increase for this region. In terms of moderate option of the economic development the electricity generation demand may reach 230 billions kWh in the year 2020. Additional increase of the electricity generation by nuclear power plants (up to 230 billions kWh) will require creation of the 'nuclear-hydroaccumulating' power complexes. The increase of thermal power production by nuclear plants (up to 30 millions Gcal) is related with siting of NPPs and nuclear thermal and electricity generating plants at thermal power consuming regions. The long-term industrial technological policy provides for 2010-2030 period an evolutionary implementation of new nuclear technology of the 4th generation being based on the fast reactors with the nuclear fuel cycle closing and uranium-plutonium fuel. This will eliminate the restrictions regarding raw fuel material for observable perspective. In view of the total electricity production growth rate more than 2% per year for Russia, the nuclear power industry is required to ensure power production increase to be more than 4% per year with the growth of electricity generation up to 8 billions kWh/year and thermal production - up to 1,5 millions Gcal/year. The main objectives of Russian nuclear power industry development are nowadays as follows: Further safety and reliability level raising; load factor increase up to 85-90%; modernization and extension by 10-20 years the operational lifetime of existing NPPs; commissioning of new power units (it is planned to put into operation new power units at Kalinin, Kursk, Volgodonsk and Balakovo NPPs before 2010); creation of new complex facilities for NPP radwaste and spent fuel reprocessing; acquisition of advanced reactor technology (BN-800, WWER-1500, etc.) supported by development of respective fuel cycle; extensive capacity reproduction (with rate of ∼1 GW per year) and backlog of construction works for future periods. Because the objective of new power unit construction takes a long period of time and requires significant investments, and also taking into account that design lifetimes for some Russian power units expire starting from 2004, the goal of operational lifetime extension beyond the expired design lifetime for existing NPP units becomes one of the most important challenges of current nuclear power development. Results of the activities aimed to enhance nuclear plant safety and reliability, to extend power unit operational lifetimes and to construct new power units prove actuality of achieving established goals. Russian nuclear power industry demonstrates reliably performance and dynamic development, and nowadays poses an important pillar ensuring energy security of the state. (author)