Experts from the Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom are preparing for the removal of spent nuclear fuel from a submarine reactor in the base of Gremikha on the Barents Sea coast. The operation is highly complicated and dangerous, they say.
The spent nuclear fuel will be removed from a reactor formerly belonging to a “Alfa”-class submarine. The operation is part of the Russian effort to decommission and scrap the many retired nuclear subs left after the Soviet period.
KOLA-I'S OPERATING LICENSE WAS EXTENDED until July 6, 2018, by the Russian regulator, Rostekhnadzor. In June 2003, the regulator authorized a limited extension of five years while it undertook a full safety assessment following upgrades and modernization work undertaken since 1990. The assessment was carried out in line with Russia's current nuclear legislation and also took into account the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency and other international experience in assessing the safety of nuclear power plants.
The Russian state company on nuclear energy Rosatom this week signed an agreement with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development over the construction of a vessel for transports of spent nuclear fuel from bases on the Kola Peninsula.
According to Rosatom, the vessel will be financed as a whole by the Italian side. The ship, which is to be built by the company Fincantieri is expected to cost 71,5 million EUR.
The 35 year old reactor at the Kola Nuclear Power Plant last week got the authorities’ blessing for another ten years of service.
The reactor is the oldest of the four reactors at the Kola NPP, Russia’s northernmost nuclear power plant. According to Rosatom, the company which is running all of Russia's nine NPPs, the reactor will now produce power until year 2018.
On June 27th, 1973, reactor No. 1 at the first nuclear power plant ever built north of the Arctic Circle was started. It was designed for a life-time of 30 years, but is still in operation.
Later in the 70ties and early 80 another three reactors was put into operation at the Kola nuclear power plant (Kola NPP).
The Kola Nuclear Power plant has for a long time been among the best three power plants in Russia, head engineer of the plant says. The plant will now become a part of the new giant federal company Atomenergoprom.
08:50 - 03 December 2007
Norwegian environmental group Bellona fears that Gazprom will use nuclear power to provide electricity to the huge Shtokman gas-field project.
The NGO has sought action by Norway's foreign ministry to prevent Gazprom taking the nuclear route.
