From 13 to 27 August 2021, a group of international experts from the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO), headed by Maxim Dyrovaty, Peer Review Team Leader from the WANO Moscow Center, conducted an operational peer review of the Novovoronezh NPP.

12 WANO experts conducted work performance observation of the plant personnel and reviewed production and technological processes at all operating power units and general plant systems.

Over the two weeks, the experts have been reviewing the Novovoronezh NPP performance in 12 functional and cross functional areas: from maintenance and engineering support to radiation protection and training and qualification.

The main goal of the peer review is to improve the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants by comparing operation with best world practices and criteria provided in WANO documents. The total experience of WANO experts in the nuclear power industry is 390 years and 335 peer reviews.

“I am glad that the long-awaited peer review of the Novovoronezh NPP took place in person. The work was performed in the spirit of openness and cooperation, which contributed to obtaining reliable and unbiased results of the review of the nuclear power plant's operation,” said Maxim Dyrovaty, the peer review team leader at the exit meeting.

Anatoly Kirichenko, the first deputy director of the WANO Moscow Center, emphasized that the Novovoronezh NPP is in line with the “WANO spirit”, as over the past 10 years of cooperation 47 different events have been conducted at the nuclear power plant, and technical support missions were regularly organized. All this helps the staff to take a fresh look at the operation process and see their strengths and weaknesses.

Anatoly Kirichenko submitted to Anatoly Fedorov, the first deputy chief engineer of the Novovoronezh NPP, a certificate confirming that the peer review was successful, without events in accordance with the rules and regulations.

At the exit meeting, WANO experts noted the openness of the Novovoronezh NPP workers, prompt and complete provision of the necessary information, interest in cooperation and constructive interaction. Based on Novovoronezh NPP peer review results a detailed report will be issued and submitted to the Rosenergoatom management at the final meeting.