Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Preparations for the construction of Unit 4 are underway at the site of Akkuyu NPP, the first nuclear power plant in Turkey. The works are carried out in accordance with the Limited Work Permit (LWP) issued by the Nuclear Regulatory Authority of the Republic of Turkey on June 30, 2021.

Excavation for the construction of the reactor building, the turbine hall, the auxiliary reactor building and other main facilities of Unit 4 is being carried out on the area of 655 m2. The depth of the excavation at its lowest point will be almost 12.5 meters. In total, the workers will have to move almost 600 thousand cubic meters of soil. The range of pit construction works includes loosening and excavation of rocky soil, as well as the development of drainage water disposal. Currently, over 20 units of construction machines are involved in the work site: excavators, dump trucks, drilling rigs, etc.

“This year, we expect to receive the construction license for Unit 4 and begin full-scale construction works on the unit early next year. By the end of the year, the construction of the concrete blinding of the reactor and turbine buildings foundation slabs will begin, and afterwards the reinforcement of the slabs will be made. Thus, Akkuyu NPP will become the world's largest nuclear construction center, where four power units will be being built simultaneously. This is a unique case in the history of the global nuclear industry. Simultaneous construction of four power units of the NPP will require high concentration of resources, but we are fully prepared for this”, said Sergei Butckikh, AKKUYU NUCLEAR JSC First Deputy CEO - Director of the Akkuyu NPP under construction.

In the process of the pit development, soil strengthening works are carried out. A water-cement mixture is pumped into the soil massif, and in some areas the jet grouting method is used. A stream of cement mortar is pumped into the soil under high pressure, as a result of which pile massifs are formed providing the required bearing capacity of the soil, and therefore the safety and stability of the buildings and structures being erected in accordance with international standards.