UPDATE: Steam leaks at Rostov nuke in Russia’s south, Unit 2 shut down

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MOSCOW/ROSTOV-ON-DON, Oct 21 (PRIME) -- A steam leak has occurred at the Rostov nuclear power plant (Rostov NPP) in Russia’s Southern Federal District, and Unit 2 has been shut down, an emergency services source told PRIME on Thursday.

“Due to a steam leak, Unit 2 of Rostov NPP has been shut down and put on repair,” the source said.

The operator of Russian nuclear power plants Rosenergoatom said in a statement that Unit 2 was shut down due to the emission of steam caused by a defect in a heat exchange system, which is part of the so-called ‘clean circuit’ with pure non-radioactive water.

“Unit 2 was cut off from power upon a request, which was coordinated in due manner, to maintain necessary repairs. … There is no breach of levels and conditions of safe operation of equipment,” Rosenergoatom said.

The Rostov plant’s representative confirmed the information and said that no hazardous leaks were found.

A source in nuclear power corporation Rosatom told PRIME, “The work is expected to take several days. This is a routine situation. It does not pose any safety threats. The radiation level meets normal figures.”

According to the emergency services source, no one was injured as a result of the incident, the radiation level in the plant area is normal.

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