OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2009. The nuclear power plants of Russia operated safely and efficiently during the autumn-winter 2008–2009, Acting Deputy Director General-Technical Director of Energoatom Concern OJSC Yuri Kopyov said during a meeting of the chief engineers of the Russian NPPs at Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant Apr 22–25 2009.

This is the result of the Concern’s active work to enhance the safety and efficiency of the plants.

As of today the Russian nuclear power plants have fulfilled 97.3% of the electricity production plan. The under-fulfillment is due to dispatching control restrictions.

Representatives of Atomtechenergo OJSC, VNIIAES OJSC, NIKIET OJSC, Gidropress EDB, Kurchatov Institute took part in the meeting.

On the first day, the chief engineers made reports on the measures to introduce innovative and advanced technologies, to replace outdated equipment, to extend the service life of equipment and to enhance the capacities of the reactors.

On the second day, the conferees discussed ways to enhance the efficiency of the work to extend the lives of the operating reactors. Today the nuclear industry enjoys guaranteed state financing as it is considered as the locomotive of the national energy sector. “We are actively working to improve the economic efficiency of our nuclear power plants but we must not forget how important it is to ensure their safety,” Kopyov said.

He expressed conviction that the efforts to enhance the efficiency of the life extension program would yield positive results.