Cracked reactor lid not to hinder lifetime extension of reactor unit at Novovoronezh NPP

Cracks have been discovered in the reactor lid of the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant in South Russia, a representative of Russias nuclear agency Rosenergoatom told the Interfax news agency on October 6.

Cracked reactor lid not to hinder lifetime extension of reactor unit at Novovoronezh NPP

Published on October 22, 2004 by Bellona

The discovered fault caused the delay of the running in of the fifth energy block, initially scheduled for September 2004, till January 2005.

The reason behind the delay was the discovery of cracks in the welded seams of the reactor lid of the fifth block, a representative of Rosenergoatom has said. Experts hold that the cracks had appeared due to a production defect. The 30 years lifetime of the fifth block expires in 2010, but Russian experts say that it may be prolonged for another 20-year period.

At present, only the third block of Novovoronezh power plant is working. The first and the second blocks have been shut down for good and the fourth and the fifth blocks are undergoing repairs.

Cracked reactor lid not to hinder lifetime extension of reactor unit at Novovoronezh NPP

Cracked reactor lid not to hinder lifetime extension of reactor unit at Novovoronezh NPP

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Bellona’s nuclear digest. August 2023

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