The Russian federal nuclear and industrial safety authority, Rostekhnadzor, has extended the service life of the 950 MW Unit 5 of the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant by eleven years, until 2036 (TASS, 08/12/2025). According to the nuclear power plant director, the unit could be further extended in the future, subject to a "comprehensive safety analysis".
This extension is expected to ensure the electricity supply for the Voronezh Region until the commissioning of the new power unit (Unit 8), which is scheduled for 2036. By maintaining Unit 5 in operation, the Voronezh Region will preserve its generating capacity until the launch of the new unit.
Unit 5 of Novovoronezh NPP was commissioned in 1980, becoming the first in the world to operate a VVER‑1000 reactor. Its original design service life was 30 years, until 2010. Between 2010 and 2011, the unit underwent major modernization, which allowed its operation to be first extended by five years (until 2015) and then by ten years (until 2025). With the current extension until 2036, Unit 5 will have been in operation for 56 years by the end of its extended service life.
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