AEM-Spetsstal, which is part of Rosatom's engineering division, has begun forging key blanks for the world's first land-based small nuclear power plant (SNPP). The new Russian SNPP is being built in Yakutia.
The blanks are handled by an automated forging complex, one of the largest in Europe. It is capable of producing blanks of any configuration from ingots weighing up to 440 tons.
At AEM-Spetsstal, the blanks undergo all the necessary production cycles, including heat treatment and machining. Then they are shipped to other Rosatom enterprises. There, they will be used to manufacture shells, flanges, rings, bottoms and other elements of the latest RHYTHM-200N reactor plant.
AEM-Spetsstal is the main flagship plant in Russia for the production of metallurgical blanks for the creation of all types of nuclear installations that are produced in the country. And not only in it: blanks for VVER reactor vessels for 12 new nuclear power plant units in India, Turkey, Egypt and other countries are in production.
With the emergence of a request for the development of small nuclear energy, we are faced with the task of putting the production of reactor plants for land-based small nuclear power plants on stream. We have everything for this - modern equipment and highly qualified personnel. The result will provide Russian nuclear products with significant competitive advantages in price and quality, and will also contribute to an increase in the share of nuclear generation in the country's energy balance from the current 20% to 25%.
In addition, the company produces blanks for RHYTHM-200 type reactor plants, which will be installed on nuclear icebreakers. In particular, such reactors have already been given to the Chukotka and Yakutia nuclear-powered ships, they will last for forty years.