Safety

The requirements the world community sets to the safety of NPPs worldwide are getting increasingly tough. In line with the recommendations of IAEA, supervisory agencies, WANO partner inspections and based on the experience of the Russian and foreign NPPs, the results of the safety analyses carried out with the support of foreign partners, Kola NPP has worked out and is successfully implementing a large-scale program for enhancing the safety of its units through re-equipment and modernization.

Simultaneously, the plant is prolonging the lives of its 1^st and 2 ^nd units. The analysis of the operation of first generation WWER-440 has shown that they are safe and efficient.

Under this project the plant has inspected the units, modernized them, replaced their outdated equipment, improved their safety systems. This project will allow to prolong the lives of the units for 15 years and to get a relevant license of GosAtomNadzor (State Atomic Energy Inspection).

Special role is given to international cooperation, which is carried out in the following directions: technical support by the Norwegian, Finnish and Swedish governments; TACIS Program; WANO experience exchange project; cooperation programs with Emsland NPP (Germany) and Loviisa NPP (Finland).

The safety and efficiency policy of Kola NPP is based:

• priority of safety over all other production factors;
• enhancement of personnel safety culture;
• timely modernization and prolongation of service life;
• compliance of operating procedures with standards and their constant improvement;
• efficiency of operation;
• constant and effective control over operation;
• enhancement of safety and efficiency as response to growing public demand.