Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant, Nuclear power facility in Sosnovy Bor, Russia
The Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear energy facility in Sosnovy Bor, Russia, consisting of two generations of reactors along the Baltic Sea coast. The installation stretches across a wide area with cooling systems, turbine halls, and several reactor blocks that each operate separately and are surrounded by safety zones.
The facility began operations in 1974 and was the first Soviet station with RBMK reactors. New VVER-1200 reactors have been gradually replacing the older blocks from the Soviet era for several years now.
The name recalls the former designation of Saint Petersburg and underlines the connection between the facility and the nearby city. Visitors learn during tours how technology has developed over decades and what role power generation plays for the entire region.
Access to the grounds is only possible after prior registration and requires security clearance. Public tours last several hours and are limited to groups, so advance planning is necessary.
The station actively manages a generational transition where both reactor types remain connected to the grid simultaneously, ensuring uninterrupted supply. This process attracts specialists from many countries who want to observe the gradual transition between old and new technology.
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