A "clean area" has been arranged in the reactor compartment of Akkuyu NPP Unit No. 1. This term means a prepared working space for controlled assembly of a reactor, namely installation of equipment components into the design position and loading of the dummy core before cold-and-hot run-in of the reactor plant.
Specialists of AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC have created all cleanliness conditions in accordance with the requirements of technical regulations. Construction materials have been removed from the working area; multiple wet cleaning is conducted on a daily basis; and a limited access of the personnel, which is in charge of installation and assembly monitoring of equipment, has been arranged. The clean area will be kept at all phases of the life cycle of Akkuyu NPP.
"In December, 2023, we obtained a commissioning permit for Akkuyu NPP Power Unit No. 1. It enabled us to commence start-up-and-adjustment operations. All technically complex operations aimed at preparing high-tech equipment for work are performed by experienced specialists of AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC. There is currently an active preparation for controlled assembly of the reactor, wherein the clean area arrangement has become an important part. Its creation means completion of general construction works in the containment of reactor building of Akkuyu NPP Unit No. 1. Compliance with the industrial cleanliness regulations excludes penetration of foreign items and construction materials, and enables to comply with all mandatory safety requirements during equipment assembly. We are commencing the very installation of reactor components for loading dummy fuel assemblies and the cold-and-hot run-in phase," noted Sergei Butckikh, First Deputy Chief Executive Officer of AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC — Director of the NPP under Construction.
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant being built in the Republic of Turkey. The Akkuyu NPP project includes four power units equipped with Generation 3+ VVER reactors of Russian design. The capacity of each NPP power unit will be 1200 MW. Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry being implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model.