Friday, 11 July 2025
The fast neutron BN-1200 reactor planned as Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant’s fifth unit has entered the preparation stage for construction.
The sodium-cooled BN-series fast reactor plans are part of Rosatom’s project to develop fast reactors with a closed fuel cycle whose mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel will be reprocessed and recycled. In addition to the BN-600 reactor at Beloyarsk unit 3, which began operation in 1980, the 789 MWe BN-800 fast at Beloyarsk unit 4 entered commercial operation in October 2016. This is essentially a demonstration unit for fuel and design features for the larger BN-1200, which will be unit 5 at Beloyarsk.
Russia’s nuclear regulator Rostechnadzor issued a licence in April for the unit which has a target completion date of 2034, and which would be the world’s most powerful operating fast neutron reactor.
Alexei Likhachev, visiting the site, said: “With the launch of work on power unit No 5, the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant strengthens its status as a leader in the development of fast reactor technology.”
He said it would help in hitting the target of nuclear generating 25% of Russia’s energy by 2045, and would also be combined with development plans for the wider Sverdlovsk region.
An agreement with the acting governor of the Sverdlovsk region Denis Pasler was signed on the development of master plans for the city of Zarechny, Novouralsk and Lesnoy which are intended to be the basis “for creating a comfortable urban environment, developing the economy, and implementing youth and social initiatives … and the attraction of federal funding for the most significant infrastructure projects”.
Pasler said: “For the Sverdlovsk region, these are new opportunities to make people’s lives more harmonious, prosperous and safe. Most of the station’s employees live in Zarechny. They create families here, raise children. Therefore, it is important that both at work and outside of it, each person sees and feels the prospects and opportunities for the development of their children, for the prosperous and comfortable life of their family.”
The master plans are drawn up by a combination of architects, economists, urbanists, sociologists, residents and the city leaderships, and are intended to provide a detailed image of the city in the future, which can then be implemented, Rosatom said.
