4 ms·

By the way, just one more point: Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors and all the systems around them are not the same in different power plants. VVER-1200 is us

by rmind 6y ago

By the way, just one more point: Generation III+ VVER-1200 reactors and all the systems around them are not the same in different power plants. VVER-1200 is used in Hanhikivi Nuclear Power Plant built in Finland by Russian Rosatom. This particular power plant uses comprehensive "package" with extra safety features and also a lot of European equipment. Yet, the regulators still identified a considerable list of issues to be addressed. Belarus, on the other hand, opted for the cheapest "basic" package with the bare minimum and pretty much "winged" the whole construction, ignoring all foreign concerns.

Maakuth 6y ago
It is perhaps also worth mentioning that the construction of the Hanhikivi plant has not started yet. Indeed according to their latest press release[1] about the situation, they say that 5/15 document batches of the preliminary safety review have been submitted so far. So while this plant is going to be based on the same design, there's going to be an extensive review of all the details and quite possibly a lot of changes to match the regulatory requirements. 1: https://www.fennovoima.fi/en/news/quarterly-update-basic-design-moves-next-stage https://www.fennovoima.fi/en/news/quarterly-update-basic-des...
- cbmuser 6y ago
  > It is perhaps also worth mentioning that the construction of the Hanhikivi plant has not started yet. Looks like it has: https://twitter.com/PekkaTMakinen/status/1354383491937538051 https://twitter.com/PekkaTMakinen/status/1354383491937538051 Also, Finland already has a plant with two VVER reactors built in cooperation with the Soviet Union: > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviisa_Nuclear_Power_Plant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviisa_Nuclear_Power_Plant
  - Maakuth 6y ago
    Yes, they are constructing infrastructure like office buildings and roads to the power plant area. But none of that is under nuclear safety regulations. They will only start the plant construction once the plans have approval from the regulatory body. Loviisa plants are VVER, but they too underwent a lot of redesign compared to the Soviet reference to meet safety criteria. That's why they called it "Eastinghouse".
fuoqi 6y ago
Any reliable sources which would confirm that Belarus indeed uses "the cheapest" package without "extra safety features"?
- exabrial 6y ago
  Yep, I'm looking for this too. The VVER-1200 design definitely seems like it has a myriad of safety features, so I'm curious what is being left out.
  - cbmuser 6y ago
    I would carefully argue that there is a lot of fear-mongering from the Lithuanian side because the new NPP poses a great financial risk to Lithuania's investments into liquefied natural gas. Good article on the issue: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/04/28/eu-nuclear-fears-just-because-its-russian-doesnt-mean-its-bad/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/04/28/eu-nuclear...
u320 6y ago
> Yet, the regulators still identified a considerable list of issues to be addressed. This is normal for any plant. Doesn't mean that VVER is less safe.
cbmuser 6y ago
> Belarus, on the other hand, opted for the cheapest "basic" package with the bare minimum and pretty much "winged" the whole construction, ignoring all foreign concerns. Do you have a source for that claim?

by rmind 6y ago

Maakuth 6y ago

It is perhaps also worth mentioning that the construction of the Hanhikivi plant has not started yet. Indeed according to their latest press release[1] about the situation, they say that 5/15 document batches of the preliminary safety review have been submitted so far. So while this plant is going to be based on the same design, there's going to be an extensive review of all the details and quite possibly a lot of changes to match the regulatory requirements. 1: https://www.fennovoima.fi/en/news/quarterly-update-basic-design-moves-next-stage https://www.fennovoima.fi/en/news/quarterly-update-basic-des...

cbmuser 6y ago
> It is perhaps also worth mentioning that the construction of the Hanhikivi plant has not started yet. Looks like it has: https://twitter.com/PekkaTMakinen/status/1354383491937538051 https://twitter.com/PekkaTMakinen/status/1354383491937538051 Also, Finland already has a plant with two VVER reactors built in cooperation with the Soviet Union: > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviisa_Nuclear_Power_Plant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loviisa_Nuclear_Power_Plant
- Maakuth 6y ago
  Yes, they are constructing infrastructure like office buildings and roads to the power plant area. But none of that is under nuclear safety regulations. They will only start the plant construction once the plans have approval from the regulatory body. Loviisa plants are VVER, but they too underwent a lot of redesign compared to the Soviet reference to meet safety criteria. That's why they called it "Eastinghouse".

fuoqi 6y ago

Any reliable sources which would confirm that Belarus indeed uses "the cheapest" package without "extra safety features"?

exabrial 6y ago
Yep, I'm looking for this too. The VVER-1200 design definitely seems like it has a myriad of safety features, so I'm curious what is being left out.
- cbmuser 6y ago
  I would carefully argue that there is a lot of fear-mongering from the Lithuanian side because the new NPP poses a great financial risk to Lithuania's investments into liquefied natural gas. Good article on the issue: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/04/28/eu-nuclear-fears-just-because-its-russian-doesnt-mean-its-bad/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2020/04/28/eu-nuclear...

u320 6y ago

> Yet, the regulators still identified a considerable list of issues to be addressed. This is normal for any plant. Doesn't mean that VVER is less safe.

cbmuser 6y ago

> Belarus, on the other hand, opted for the cheapest "basic" package with the bare minimum and pretty much "winged" the whole construction, ignoring all foreign concerns. Do you have a source for that claim?