The expert explained the safety features of small nuclear power plants

Small nuclear power plants, which are planned to be built in Siberia and the Far East, retain basic safety principles, but have a number of special features. This was stated by Alexander Bystrikov, Deputy Director of the NPP Operation Department.

"When operating small nuclear power plants, the safety principles are the same, but there are nuances," he explained.

The construction of such mini-nuclear power plants has become a step forward in nuclear energy — they are especially important where it is impossible to build a large plant like Chernobyl due to inaccessibility or remoteness.

According to the expert, such stations are initially designed taking into account the remoteness and the impossibility of quick assistance. In particular, the energy stress of the core is reduced, which increases the resistance to accidents.

He gave an example of a floating station: "If something happens to one section, it is shut down, and the rest will continue to work. This ensures survivability."

In addition, new projects involve the use of modular reactors. "Such reactors will be delivered from the factory in an assembly, lowered into a prepared shaft, after which the modular reactors will operate for several years as large "batteries" until the next replacement," Bystrikov said.

Read more about the Chernobyl disaster and its consequences for the industry in the Izvestia special project