A one-month overhaul is starting at the Krško Nuclear Power Plant, in which more than a thousand external contractors will participate.
After being disconnected from the grid, the Krško Nuclear Power Plant (NEK) is undergoing its first regular overhaul since its service life was extended last year.
The power plant, for which there are 33 operating cycles, began to decrease at night. After it is stopped and disconnected from the power grid, a regular overhaul will begin.
NEK President Gorazd Pfeifer stated that the central activity will be fuel replacement for the next 18-month cycle. In this overhaul, 53 fuel elements will be replaced, which is three less than usual.
Due to last year’s shutdown, which occurred due to a pipeline leak next to the nuclear ship, they used less fuel, he explained.
The effect of ageing on the components is also checked. Since this is the first regular overhaul in the extended service life, last year in January, environmental approval was issued for the extension of the drive until 2043. In addition to changing the fuel and standard control, maintenance and updating equipment, great emphasis will be placed on checking the effects of ageing on the components. , systems and structures.
Major maintenance works will be carried out, including an overhaul of the main generator, and technological improvements will also be carried out, which are also important for nuclear safety and availability and long-term operation.
“In this year’s overhaul, there will be a greater emphasis on the ageing of the power plant.” We will work more on the review of systems, components, and structures. Our way of working is still to update the power plant for greater safety and availability, as well as for long-term operation,” said Gorazd Pfeifer.
All repair works will be managed and supervised by NEK employees, and more than 1,000 people from external companies and institutions will participate. The value of the overhaul is estimated at around 100 million euros.
