Containment strength tests completed at Akkuyu NPP Unit 1

Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Communications Service, PUBLISHED 12.11.2026

Strength and leak-tightness tests of the reactor building containment have been successfully completed at Unit 1 of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (being built by Rosatom State Corporation).

Specialists verified the structure’s ability to withstand the loads specified by the design and maintain leak-tightness at possible raises of pressure at the off-nominal situations.

The tests were carried out continuously over eight days. To verify the structure’s strength, the air pressure inside the containment was gradually increased to 0.46 MPa. This was 15% above the design pressure of 0.4 MPa, at which the structure’s leak-tightness was assessed.

At peak pressure, the load on each square metre of the containment surface was equivalent to the weight of approximately 47 tons.

Once the maximum pressure had been reached, it was also reduced in stages.

Throughout the process, specialists monitored the condition of the containment, including stresses within the structure and changes in its shape and dimensions under load.

The programme included leak-tightness checks both at elevated pressure and at reduced pressure, below atmospheric pressure. The test results confirmed that the structure fully meets the design requirements for strength and leak-tightness and can withstand internal overpressure.

“A series of verification tests is being carried out consequently at Unit 1. Equipment, structural components and safety systems are being checked. We have successfully tested the main protective barrier of the unit. The results confirm the high quality of the containment construction work and enable us to move shortly to the next stage of pre-start-up commissioning: cold and hot functional testing of the reactor plant,”said Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Chief Executive Officer Sergei Butckikh.

Topics: Asia, Turkey, NPP Akkuyu

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