French designer and supplier of nuclear steam supply systems and equipment Framatome has secured a contract to support Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) II in Russia.

As per the terms of the contract, Framatome will be responsible for supplying the reactor protection system for the plant’s units 1 and 2.

The company will plan, design, manufacture and implement the system. The reactor protection system includes 45 TELEPERM XS I&C cabinets.

Framatome will deliver the I&C cabinets to Rusatom Automated Control Systems (RASU)’s integration centre located in Moscow.

It will also offer supervisory services in the test bay and during installation and commissioning activities.

Installation is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Framatome Sales, Regional Platforms and the Instrumentation and Control (I&C) business unit senior executive vice-president Frédéric Lelièvre said: “Our long-standing partnership with RASU continues to grow as we contribute to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant II project with the highest level of excellence.

“Together, we are moving forward on our commitment to deliver advanced technologies for the new Russian VVER reactors currently under construction.”

In 2018, Framatome signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with RASU, a subsidiary of Russia’s nuclear energy corporation Rosatom.

Under the agreement, Framatome agreed to design I&C subsystems and deliver to the Russian NPP construction projects.

In April 2018, construction works were initiated on the first unit at the Kursk NPP II. Work on the second unit began in April 2019.

The new Russian VVER TOI series third-generation reactors can generate 1.2GW of electricity for 60 years.

Kursk NPP II will replace the existing power units of Kursk Nuclear Power Plant.

RASU is also responsible for the supply of 330kV gas-insulated switchgear and transformers to the plant.