The Novovoronezh nuclear power plant has received permission from the Russian Federal Agency for Supervision of Ecology, Technology and Nuclear Energy (Rostekhnadzor) to carry out the final phase of testing to change the refuelling cycle of unit 6 to 18 months, TVEL said. Unit 6 will be the first VVER-1200 unit in the world to achieve an 18-month refuelling cycle, which will significantly reduce unit maintenance time, increase power generation, and improve overall efficiency. The unit is currently operating on an 18-month refuelling cycle as part of a pilot program.
Unit 6 has undergone four refueling cycles of 18 months. The Bureau of Ecology, Technology and Nuclear Supervision confirmed that the unit can operate reliably and safely, and approved it to continue pilot tests. Now, the fifth and final fuel test in the 18-month refuelling cycle has begun. If the test is successfully completed, unit 6 will permanently operate on an 18-month refueling cycle.