Rostov Nuclear Plant Shuts Down Power Unit Due to Malfunction

One of the power units at the Rostov nuclear power plant in southern Russia has been shut down due to a turbine generator malfunction. Investigations are underway, and the radiation background is normal. Temporary power restrictions have been imposed due to the incident. The plant is the largest energy-generating facility in the region.

One of four power units at the Rostov nuclear power plant in southern Russia has been shut down due to a malfunction, the Russian energy ministry and state nuclear energy company Rosatom announced on Tuesday.

Rosatom reported that the power unit had been automatically shut down following a turbine generator malfunction. "The reasons are being investigated, the radiation background is normal," a Rosatom representative informed Reuters.

According to Rosenergoatom, a subsidiary of Rosatom, two other power units at the Rostov station near Volgodonsk are operating normally, while another unit is undergoing planned maintenance. The energy ministry has imposed temporary power usage restrictions in southern Russia following the incident.

The Rostov nuclear plant, with a total capacity of 4,071 megawatts, is the largest energy-generating facility in southern Russia, providing around 75% of the power generation in the Rostov region and connecting to other southern regions. An abnormal heatwave has recently caused mass power outages in several areas of the south of Russia.

(With inputs from agencies.)