Rosatom Connects First Kursk NPP-2 Unit to National Grid

12 Jan 2026 CW Team

The newly commissioned unit is the first implementation of the VVER-TOI reactor design, which incorporates advanced safety and performance features. With an installed capacity of 1,250 MW, it is the most powerful nuclear power unit in Rosatom’s fleet, exceeding the output of the previous benchmark units at Leningrad NPP-2 by 50 MW.

Commenting on the development, Alexey Likhachev, Director General, Rosatom State Corporation, said:

“The Kursk unit is the first embodiment of the latest VVER TOI nuclear power unit design. This design not only incorporates the latest advances in nuclear energy. It is also the most powerful power unit in Rosatom's fleet: 1250 MW… On December 30, 2024, the general plan for the deployment of power facilities through 2042 was approved, according to which we are to build 38 power units.”

The power start-up was carried out in the presence of senior leadership from Rosatom’s Electric Power and Engineering divisions, along with key contractors. Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, Rosatom State Corporation, said:

“Today's power start-up is the result of the hard work of tens of thousands of people… The new power unit will increase nuclear power generation by more than 50% to meet the needs of the Kursk Region.”

During the power start-up phase, capacity will be gradually increased to 35–40%, followed by a staged ramp-up to full power. Alexander Shutikov, CEO, Rosenergoatom Concern JSC, noted that comprehensive testing is underway to ensure compliance with modern nuclear safety and performance standards.

The commissioning of Unit 1 of Kursk NPP-2 is scheduled for 2026, with similar VVER-TOI projects expected to support long-term energy security and economic development.

Rosatom has launched the first power unit of the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant-2 (Kursk NPP-2) into Russia’s Unified Energy System, marking a key milestone in the country’s nuclear energy programme. The initial grid connection took place at the end of the year, bringing a new source of low-carbon electricity online for the Kursk region and the broader Central Energy System.The newly commissioned unit is the first implementation of the VVER-TOI reactor design, which incorporates advanced safety and performance features. With an installed capacity of 1,250 MW, it is the most powerful nuclear power unit in Rosatom’s fleet, exceeding the output of the previous benchmark units at Leningrad NPP-2 by 50 MW.Commenting on the development, Alexey Likhachev, Director General, Rosatom State Corporation, said:“The Kursk unit is the first embodiment of the latest VVER TOI nuclear power unit design. This design not only incorporates the latest advances in nuclear energy. It is also the most powerful power unit in Rosatom's fleet: 1250 MW… On December 30, 2024, the general plan for the deployment of power facilities through 2042 was approved, according to which we are to build 38 power units.”The power start-up was carried out in the presence of senior leadership from Rosatom’s Electric Power and Engineering divisions, along with key contractors. Andrey Petrov, First Deputy Director General for Nuclear Energy, Rosatom State Corporation, said:“Today's power start-up is the result of the hard work of tens of thousands of people… The new power unit will increase nuclear power generation by more than 50% to meet the needs of the Kursk Region.”During the power start-up phase, capacity will be gradually increased to 35–40%, followed by a staged ramp-up to full power. Alexander Shutikov, CEO, Rosenergoatom Concern JSC, noted that comprehensive testing is underway to ensure compliance with modern nuclear safety and performance standards.The commissioning of Unit 1 of Kursk NPP-2 is scheduled for 2026, with similar VVER-TOI projects expected to support long-term energy security and economic development.

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jan 2026

MMRDA: Engineering Mumbai’s Underground Future

Somewhere beneath Mumbai’s restless surface, a second city is being built into existence.In the late afternoon, as the day leaned towards evening, Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner (MMRDA), led us into a realm that very few ever enter—the active heart of one of Mumbai’s most ambitious underground road projects. While the city surges forward in familiar chaos above the ground, another Mumbai is taking shape below: quietly, methodically, irrevocably. The metal lift doors clo..

Building Material

31 Jan 2026

Steel: Shielded or Strengthened?

Going forward, domestic steel mills are targeting capacity expansion of nearly 40 per cent through till FY31, adding 80-85 mt, translating into an investment pipeline of $ 45-50 billion. So, Jhunjhunwala points out that continuing the safeguard duty will be vital to prevent a surge in imports and protect domestic prices from external shocks. While in FY26, the industry operating profit per tonne is expected to hold at around $ 108, similar to last year, the industry’s earnings must meaningfully improve from hereon to sustain large-scale investments. Else, domestic mills could..

Infrastructure Transport

31 Jan 2026

Metro Moves: From Expansion to System Integration

India’s metro rail programme has entered a new phase—one where the focus is no longer only on adding kilometres, but on building integrated, reliable and financially sustainable urban transit systems. With more than 1,000 km of metro lines already operational and daily ridership exceeding 10 million, the challenge now lies in execution quality, underground risk management, multimodal integration, viable funding structures, and large-scale digital adoption. These themes framed deliber..