Atomic vertical

Talks about the construction of new nuclear units at the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant will not surprise anyone; they have been going on for probably twenty years now. In the mid-90s, things even almost came to fruition - the new unit was planned to be located on the territory of the local Scientific Research Technological Institute (NITI). The site even received a license. But the arrival at Minatom of the well-known Evgeniy Adamov, an ardent supporter of reactors of a different type, became a gravestone for the planned construction. The failure was also explained by the fact that the project was moving from below. Its initiator were scientists from that same NITI, who lobbied for their brainchild through the executive and legislative branches of government and influential politicians. In Russia such tricks do not work. But a new initiative comes down from the very top. And in this situation, the project’s chances are completely different. This was confirmed by Rosatom head Sergei Kiriyenko, who visited LNPP last week. With his characteristic energy, he spoke quite definitely: “We are making a decision...”

“In his message, President Putin set two specific tasks for nuclear energy,” said Sergei Kiriyenko. – It must ensure the foundations of the country’s energy security, and therefore prevent a decrease in the share of electricity generation. And also to increase the content of nuclear kilowatts in the overall energy balance of Russia to 20%, as is the case in most developed countries.
Today, Russian nuclear power plants account for 16% of all electricity generated. But this situation is temporary. The deadlines for decommissioning the main operating stations are just around the corner. The head of Rosatom called 2015–2025 the period of mass “exodus”. By this time, according to him, it is necessary to ensure the commissioning of new capacities. That is why, in the Federal Target Program just formed by Rosatom, it is planned to begin construction next year, and starting from 2012, to commission at least two nuclear units per year.
So the construction of new units in Sosnovy Bor, already named LNPP-2, fits well into these plans. They intend to build at least four blocks near St. Petersburg, and in the future, perhaps, there will be six. This news, presented rather as a statement, was brought by the head of Rosatom to the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant.

The base Bor is an ideal place for the construction of new blocks. Already existing infrastructure, a population adapted to nuclear specifics, a solid scientific and production base, a Rosatom training center - all this makes it possible to manage construction with minimal costs. What is especially important is that a construction site is already ready here with a license for the construction of a nuclear power plant valid until 2010. It is located on the territory of the same NITI. And, of course, the footage.
Sergei Kiriyenko demonstrated the seriousness of his intentions.
“We sent Valery Serdyukov, the regional governor, a declaration of intent to carry out construction,” he said. – It should begin in 2007. NITI begins to receive a package of permits. And within a week we will determine the composition of the working group, which will ensure weekly monitoring of how the preparatory work is progressing.
However, Kiriyenko saw in Sosnovy Bor not just a site for new units, but a base for mass production of domestic new generation reactors. It was the intention to establish continuous production that the head of Rosatom announced. And the proximity of St. Petersburg, with its scientific and design institutes, Izhora plants - a long-time partner of the domestic atomprom - only reinforces this concept.
In other words, Rosatom plans to create a real nuclear empire in Sosnovy Bor, which will include not only operating units, but also an experimental site for testing new domestic reactors. Most likely, these will be nuclear installations of the VVER type. They will be tested, approved, finalized and put into serial operation.

It ’s no secret that there are problems with energy in Russia. For example, last winter, St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region were hanging by a thread - during the period of severe frosts, the energy consumption of the regions was equal to the supply of all available electricity. If the temperature had dropped a few degrees lower, enterprises would have had to be shut down, as was the case in Moscow. And all because there has been a significant increase in energy consumption.
“Over the past four years, the Leningrad region has been increasing it by 11–12% annually,” said regional governor Valery Serdyukov. – On the one hand, due to increased production. On the other hand, the standard of living is rising. In short, further development of the region requires an increase in the production of kilowatt-hours.
Well, St. Petersburg, according to Rosatom, has long experienced a shortage of electricity, and, as they say, significantly. Thus, without increasing the regional energy cost, all grandiose plans - for the construction of large industries, ports, pipelines, and the development of social services - can be given up. It should be taken into account that the energy system is considered sustainable only when it has a 30 percent “kilowatt” reserve.

At the same time, despite the loud statements and generous promises of dignitaries, there is still a feeling of some unreality of what is happening, as if this whole grandiose project was whipped up.
For example, those present at the meeting with Kiriyenko did not find out: in what time frame will four or even six new reactors be commissioned? How will the schedule for their introduction be adjusted with the withdrawal of existing ones? According to Leningrad NPP director Valery Lebedev, the latter will be withdrawn in 2018, 2020, 2029, 2031. It turns out that at some point six, eight or even ten reactors will operate simultaneously in Sosnovy Bor? In any case, it seems that such a calculation simply does not exist in nature.
The same confusion with investments. Speaking about six billion injections (investments for four new blocks alone should exceed $6 billion), Sergei Vladilenovich honestly admitted that “not everything is clear” with financing. At the moment, there is complete clarity only with the $86 million allocated by the state budget, but otherwise...
“This could be targeted budget financing, as well as attraction of loans by Rosenergoatom,” Kiriyenko said. – Unfortunately, the concern, being a state-owned enterprise, cannot attract private loans.
It seems that in order to attract private capital, it is planned to corporatize Rosenergoatom, which Sergei Vladilenovich also mentioned. The fact is that the form of a joint stock company, even with 100% state participation, provides more opportunities for attracting additional funds. And on May 20, the Federal Atomic Energy Agency presented its proposals to the government.
And again, it seems like a rush...
Or such a moment. Speaking about the proposed construction, the head of Rosatom chose not to name the type of reactor.
“We don’t name the type of reactor so as not to cause jealousy among the authors of various projects,” he says.
Here's the catch: nuclear scientists decided to save the designers' nerves, and for the time being - the secret will become clear in just a few months. But the population was simply not taken into account, as if it did not exist at all. Meanwhile, the type of reactor is exactly the information that people will want to know first. Is this a serial project or a completely new one, just released from the designer’s pencil, and therefore aimed at experimental operation near St. Petersburg... Isn’t this fundamentally important?

In general, the situation with the population is as usual. Judge for yourself, construction is planned to begin next year, but local residents are not talking about the project. Well, the residents, most of the atomprom specialists, heard about the grandiose plans for the first time. Hence the feeling of slight amazement.
Russia is truly a mysterious country. It seems that new people, modern, energetic managers have come to the atomic department. But, it seems, they are starting to act in the best Soviet traditions - “a group of comrades gathered here and decided...”
However, the problem, of course, is not with the head of Rosatom, but with the political winds that hum in the Kremlin towers. They are the ones who determine the actions of Russian officials, ministries, departments and regulatory bodies, forcing them to align themselves with the vertical of power. The population, it seems, is seen from the Kremlin heights as a dumb gray mass.
Painfully familiar intonations make one doubt the safety of the upcoming construction. We can say that the construction of a nuclear empire is planned in Sosnovy Bor without guarantees for safety. If only because the implementation of modern technogenic projects of this level does not tolerate any ambiguities and cavalry charges. Even if carried out for the most patriotic reasons. As you know, in a hurry, mistakes are easily made.
And one more thing. Discussion of the Leningrad NPP-2 project will most likely not be discussed by the public of St. Petersburg. Sergei Kiriyenko said so - public hearings will be held only in the Leningrad region, as required by law.
Indeed, in accordance with the law, discussions must take place in the federal subject on whose territory the construction is taking place. Formally so, but in essence these words look very much like deceit. After all, before getting to Tikhvin or Lodeynoye Pole, which lie almost four hundred kilometers from the Leningrad NPP, radioactive emissions (if anything happens) will certainly pass over the five millionth city of St. Petersburg, located only 90 kilometers away. Isn't it obvious? How can a metropolis be left out of the discussion?
“The general plan of St. Petersburg has an appendix containing maps of zones affected by man-made accidents and natural disasters,” says ecologist Alexander Karpov. – There are also drawings of radiation impact zones during the Leningrad NPP accident depending on the wind direction. They enter city blocks. So the law recognizes that the northern capital is the affected entity, and the population must be recognized as the public concerned.
But will Rosatom, which is in a hurry, have time to delve into such “little things”?

Lina ZERNOVA
Photo from the NG archive