On March 20, 2025, the first concrete was poured for the foundation of the reactor building at Unit 4 of Leningrad NPP-2. The construction is part of the capacity replacement program at the plant, a subsidiary of Rosenergoatom, Rosatom’s Electric Power Division. Representatives from the Belarusian NPP, El Dabaa NPP (Egypt), and Rooppur NPP Bangladesh) participated in the first concrete ceremony via videoconference. These countries have power units with reference Russian VVER-1200 reactors that they have constructed or are constructing with the support of Rosatom. During the ceremony, nuclear specialists from partner nations shared updates on their projects in 2024 and extended their best wishes for the successful completion of the new units at Leningrad NPP. “This is not just the start of a new unit construction at the Leningrad NPP-2. This is another step towards the major national goal of increasing the share of peaceful nuclear energy in the national energy mix. Rosatom faces significant challenges in this regard. As early as this year, we will start constructing replacement power generation facilities at the Smolensk and Kola NPPs and complete engineering surveys for a fourth-generation unit at Beloyarsk NPP in the Sverdlovsk region. Over the next two decades, Rosatom will work at new sites in Siberia, the Ural region, and the Far East. These new nuclear projects will provide more Russian citizens with access to clean energy,” said Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom, President of ASE JSC (Rosatom’s Engineering Division). Notably, commencement of Unit 4’s main construction phase coincides with the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry. Over the past eight decades, the industry has achieved significant milestones, from ensuring national security through nuclear technology to advancing nuclear medicine. “Nuclear power has come a long way – from the world’s first 5 MW power plant to modern units with capacities of up to 1,200 MW. These achievements are the result of dedicated efforts of many professionals,” said Alexander Shutikov, Director General of Rosenergoatom. “I would like to acknowledge the team working on the new Leningrad power units. Their expertise, teamwork, and commitment enabled us to begin laying the foundation for Unit 4 ahead of schedule – a task of national importance. A similar milestone was also achieved ahead of schedule for Unit 3 in 2024.”Image Source: www.nucnet.org