Historical milestone of Balakovo NPP: trillion kilowatt-hours of output
06.05.2025
On May 3, 2025, the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant reached a significant milestone. At 17:27 Moscow time, the plant recorded the generation of a trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is the first such achievement among Russian NPPs with VVER-1000 reactors. The energy giant, located in the city of Balakovo in the Saratov Region, supplied this volume of electricity to the country's energy grid over the entire period of operation of four power units.
The significant event took place in the year of the 40th anniversary of the plant. The Balakovo NPP generated its first industrial current on December 24, 1985. Over four decades, the plant has achieved an unprecedented figure among Russian nuclear power facilities with pressurized water reactors. It is noteworthy that the Balakovo NPP has surpassed the trillion-kilowatt-hour mark faster than other plants. For comparison, the Leningrad NPP (with RBMK-1000 reactors) achieved a similar result after 45 years of operation in 2018. The Kursk NPP (also with RBMK-1000 reactors) reached this level after 46 years of operation in 2022.
Director of the Balakovo NPP Yuri Maksimov emphasized the significance of this achievement: “A trillion kilowatt-hours is the result of the work of many generations of employees. Our veterans remember the first kilowatt-hour of the plant. Over 40 years of operation, we have continuously improved safety technologies. Extending the service life of all four power units allowed us to achieve this historic figure. We are proud of our contribution to the country's energy sector and consider this achievement a symbolic gift for the 40th anniversary of the station, the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry and the anniversary of the Great Victory."
Balakovo NPP generates about 30 billion kilowatt-hours annually. The station provides 29% of electricity in the United Energy System of the Middle Volga. In the Saratov Region, the share of NPPs in the energy balance reaches 78%. Electricity is supplied to consumers in the Volga region, Central Russia, the Urals and Siberia. Over the past ten years, all power units of the station have received licenses to extend their service life. Power unit No. 1 will continue to operate for an additional 30 years (license received in 2015). Power unit No. 2 will function for another 26 years (license from 2017). Power unit No. 3 received a 30-year extension (in 2018). The last to receive a license for an additional 28 years of operation was power unit No. 4 in December 2023.
The extension of the operating life was preceded by a large-scale modernization of the equipment.Engineers have brought the technical characteristics and physical parameters of the power units into line with modern standards. The updated equipment ensures increased reliability and safety during the additional period of operation.
Over 40 years of operation, the Balakovo NPP has not had a negative impact on the ecology of the region. The radiation background in the area of the plant remains at the natural level typical for the European part of Russia. These indicators have not changed since the period before the start of construction. This fact indicates a high level of environmental safety of the facility.
Balakovo NPP is a branch of JSC Concern Rosenergoatom, which is part of the Electric Power Division of the State Corporation Rosatom. The station is located on the left bank of the Saratov Reservoir, 10 kilometers from the city of Balakovo. Four power units with improved WWER-1000 reactors (modification V-320) have an installed electric capacity of 1000 MW each. The first unit began operation in 1985, the second in 1987, the third in 1988, and the fourth in 1990. in 1993.
Today, the Balakovo NPP is one of the largest energy enterprises in Russia, demonstrating high standards of production efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility.
