Unit 2 of the Leningrad II. Nuclear Power Plant was connected to the Russian grid on 23 October. This is the fourth 3+ generation, VVER-1200 type unit in Russia. The new unit’s capacity was gradually increased. During the test operation several complex inspections are done, equipment is tested while in operation. As Rosatom’s press release mentioned, following the test operation, the unit will be shut down and the revision of the equipments will be made. The reactor will begin the commercial operation in 2021 following this. 

Following the October physical start-up, the 3+ generation, VVER-1200 type Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP was connected to the grid on 3 November. This is the first such NPP unit constructed outside Russia. According to plans, the commissioning phase will end in early December 2020, and it will be followed by a test operation. Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP will start its commercial operation in Q1 2021. 

Rosatom also implements VVER-1200 type reactors in Finland, Hungary, Turkey, Bangladesh, China and other countries. 

In these NPP units, the reactor and primary circuit are located in a double-walled protection building (containment). The outer building protects the equipment from external hazards (even in the case of an airplane crash, the NPP unit can be safely shut down). The inner containment is a cylindrical, also hermetic building closed with a hemisphere at the top, which protects the environment from the radioactive primary circuit and cooling pond. Safety is further ensured by automatic safety systems, which take effect without the need of personnel. Safety is further guaranteed by passive safety systems, which operate thanks to natural laws (eg. gravity), therefore they do not need any external power source.