Russia to start building Kursk-II in first half of 2018 23 January 2018 23 January 2018

Pouring "first concrete" for the foundation slab of the reactor building at unit 1 of Russia’s Kursk-II nuclear plant is planned for the first half of 2018.

Kursk II-1 is, featuring VVER-TOI reactors is, scheduled to be built in 4.5 years for operation by the end of 2022.

Kursk NPP Director Vyacheslav Fedyukin noted that construction workers would be needed and job fairs are being held regularly in the nearby town of Kurchatov.

In 2018, construction of the station is expected to need 1172 employees, increasing to 3495 in 2019, 4478 in 2020, 3375 in 2021, and 1369 in 2022.

Kursk-II will replace four RBMK units currently operating at the Kursk NPP which are approaching the end of their design life. Commissioning of the first two Kursk-II units will be synchronised with the closure of Kursk 1&2.

In a press release on 18 January, the Kursk region administration said construction of Kursk-II is on schedule. The total investment in the new station will be about RUB450bn ($8bn).

Photo: Construction at the Kursk II in December (Source: Rosatom)