The 350-tonne reactor pressure vessel for Akkuyu unit 3 in Turkey has been delivered after a 1700-mile journey.

(Image: Akkuyu NPP)

The cylindrical reactor pressure vessel is 11.45 metres long and 5.7 metres wide and was produced by the Volgodonsk branch of AEM-Technologies JSC of Atommash, part of Atomenergomash, the machine production division of Rosatom.

The Akkuyu plant, in the southern Mersin province, is Turkey's first nuclear power plant. Rosatom is building four VVER-1200 reactors, under a so-called BOO (build-own-operate) model. Construction of the first unit began in 2018. The 4800 MWe plant is expected to meet about 10% of Turkey's electricity needs, with the aim that all four units will be operational by the end of 2028.

The RPVs of units 1 and 2 were installed in June 2021 and September 2022, respectively. The RPV for unit 3 is a record fifth shipped from the production site in 2023.

Sergei Butckikh, First Deputy CEO of Akkuyu Nuclear JSC, said: "After the completion of mandatory incoming control procedures the reactor pressure vessel shall be handed over for erection. Approximately 300 different checks and control operations are made during its manufacture. This equipment operates in special conditions. It should provide leak tightness of the reactor during operation, safe refuelling and operation of the reactor plant for more than 60 year life."

Researched and written by World Nuclear News