The Volgodonsk branch of Russia's AEM-Technology JSC has carried out hydraulic testing of the reactor vessel for the first unit of the Kursk II nuclear power plant, which will be the first to use the VVER-TOI (typical optimised, with enhanced information) reactor design.

A crane with a lifting capacity of 600 tons was used to install the 11-metre high VVER-TOI reactor vessel in position inside a special support ring. The vessel was sealed with a standard cover, filled with distilled water, and heated to a temperature of 60 degrees and a pressure of 24.5 MPa created. The tests confirmed the strength of the base metal and welded joints.

The 1255 MWe VVER-TOI is a Generation III+ power unit developed using technical results from the VVER-1200 project. The design offers improved safety measures, including an increased margin of safety from extreme impacts and ability to withstand earthquakes, and is equipped with modern control systems and diagnostics. Construction work on the first of two units at Kursk II began in April 2018, and on unit 2 in April last year.

AEM Technology is a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom.