Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant

Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant
Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant
Location of Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant
Country	Russia
Coordinates	52°5′28″N 47°57′19″E
Status	Operational
Construction began	December 1, 1980
Commission date	May 23, 1986
Operator(s)	Rosenergoatom
Reactor information
Reactors operational	4 x 1,000 MW
Reactors under construction	1 x 1,000 MW
Power generation information
Annual generation	29,062 GW·h
Net generation	387,580 GW·h
As of July 22, 2007

Balakovo nuclear power station (Russian: Балаковская АЭС [ pronunciation ]) is located in the city of Balakovo, Saratov Oblast, Russia, about 900 kilometers south-east of Moscow. It consists of four operational reactors; a fifth unit is still under construction. Owner and operator of the nuclear power station is Rosenergoatom.

Balakovo NPP participates in a twinning program between nuclear power stations in Europe and Russia; since 1990 it has been in partnership with Biblis Nuclear Power Plant.

On 27 June 1985 during startup of the first reactor unit, a human error (later attributed to inexperience and haste) unexpectedly opened a pressurizer relief valve, and 300°C steam entered the staff work area. Fourteen people were killed. This event is cited as one of the predecessors of the Chernobyl disaster.

Reactor data

The Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant has four operating units:

Unit	Reactor type	Net capacity	Gross capacity	Construction started	Electricity grid	Commercial operation	Shutdown
Balakovo - 1	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	01.12.1980	28.12.1985	23.05.1986	-
Balakovo - 2	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	01.08.1981	08.10.1987	12.01.1988	-
Balakovo - 3	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	01.11.1982	25.12.1988	08.04.1989	-
Balakovo - 4	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	01.04.1984	12.05.1993	22.12.1993	-
Balakovo - 5	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	-	-	-	Construction again suspended in 2008
Balakovo - 6	WWER-1000/320	950 MW	1.000 MW	-	-	-	Construction was suspended in 1993

Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant

Interior View  Steam Turbine Maintenance  Reactor under Construction  Aerial View  Distribution Station  Control Room  Steam Generator Transport  Unit 5 Construction

See also

• Nuclear power in Russia

External links

• Balakovo NPP site – website in English
• Rosenergoatom – website in Russian and English
• Bellona Foundation, Balakovo NPP – International environmental organization