Russian and Turkish nuclear engineers have completed the installation of the lower dome part of the outer containment shell (OCS) in the design position at the first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP, which is being built in the Mersin province according to the project of the state corporation (GC) Rosatom.
The corporation's press service noted that the installers installed the metal structure at a height of 63 m in 10 hours. The weight of the installed part was 340 tons, the diameter was 50.8 m.
Sergey Butskikh, CEO of JSC Akkuyu Nuclear, recalled that the NPP power units of generation 3+ are equipped with high-tech safety systems designed for extreme loads. This is especially important for Turkey, whose territory is considered seismically active. It is expected that the nuclear facility will withstand earthquakes with an intensity of up to 9 points, hurricanes with a force of up to 60 m/s, tsunamis and shock waves with a height of up to 10 meters.
After the installation of the lower part of the OCS, the builders of the Akkuyu NPP will install the dome of the OCS. The assembled structure will protect the reactor plant from external influences throughout its entire service life.
When Will the First Power Unit Be Commissioned?
The Turkish authorities planned to put the first power unit of the Akkuyu NPP into operation on October 29, 2024. However, this deadline may be shifted due to problems with the supply of equipment from Germany, said the head of the Turkish Ministry of Energy, Alparslan Bayraktar. In July, the President of the Republic, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, discussed this issue with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He expressed his concern about the possible disruption of the launch of the power unit.
There are some problems and difficulties that need to be overcome. Akkuyu is waiting for equipment, especially that located in Germany (manufactured by Siemens).
He explained that the NPP will work without Siemens equipment, but it will take time to replace the supplier.
Prior to this, State Duma deputy Pavel Zavalny said that equipment for Akkuyu had not yet been delivered due to Western sanctions. At the same time, payments for it have already been made. We are talking about power output systems purchased from Siemens.
The problem will be solved by equipment from China. It will be delivered to the station under construction in 2024. The Russian parliamentarian did not name specific dates.
