Russia's state-owned nuclear corporation Rosatom said Tuesday that hydraulic tests had begun at its latest VVER-1000/V-320 reactor, Rostov Unit 4, which reached first criticality in early December.
The tests at the latest Rostov unit in southern Russia are part of a month-long series of operational checks designed to study the reactor core under various conditions. After hydraulic tests are complete, the reactor will be tested under light operating conditions.
The unit is not expected to be connected to the grid until sometime next year, the World Nuclear Association reported.
While announcing its start up early in the month, Rosatom noted that it was the third reactor at the site to get underway within a seven-year span. Its start pushes Russia's nuclear fleet to 36 reactors.