Representatives of the state-owned enterprise on behalf of the Belarusian Nuclear Pool took part in the international insurance inspection of the Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant Branch of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC.
On October 9, 2025, the visit of the insurance inspection of 13 experts to the Balakovo NPP, consisting of representatives of the Central Office of Rosenergoatom Concern, Atomstroyexport JSC, Atomic Insurance Broker JSC, SOGAZ JSC, Russian and Belarusian national Reinsurance Companies, ended.
The main purpose of the insurance inspection is to assess current and possible insurance risks at nuclear power plants when insuring property, machinery and mechanisms against breakdowns, and civil liability for nuclear damage.
“This time, the inspection was reformatted. We have attracted specialists from other industries to evaluate and adopt positive practices and share their experiences. For the first time, it was decided to do this at the Balakovo NPP, because it was recognized as the best. There is a lot to see here,” said Vladimir Lebedev, Chief Expert of the Treasury Insurance Group of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC.
During the three-day work of the commission, the specialists of the nuclear power plant presented detailed presentations to the experts, which covered all areas of the insurers’ activities, as well as answered numerous questions.
During the rounds, international inspectors visited a full-scale simulator in the training center, turbine and reactor departments of all four power units, a storage facility for solid radioactive waste, general facilities, buildings and structures, and even a special fire and rescue unit No. 23.
At the end of the visit, the experts conducted interviews with NPP managers and specialists, following which they noted the confidence of knowledge, high involvement of staff and a broad outlook in related areas.
“A lot of work has been done in preparation for the inspection, and materials have been collected since the beginning of the year. All the inspection participants noted the high level of Balakovo NPP. Additionally, we looked at the start-up boiler room and the fire department, although this was not stated in the program. In general, the inspection was carried out at the proper level,” said Gennady Sharabanov, Deputy Director for Economics and Finance.
Summing up the inspection, the inspection commission noted the minimal level of the company’s impact on the population and the environment, a high level of cleanliness and order, staff training, equipment and industrial site conditions, and the quality of information campaigns and safety culture tools.
Cooperation on issues of interest to experts will continue remotely. The report on the results of the International Insurance Inspection will be sent to Rosenergoatom Concern JSC within three months.
The practical experience gained during this inspection will be applied in the work of the Belarusian Nuclear Insurance Pool.
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International insurance inspections are conducted at nuclear power plants every five to six years. The inspection evaluates the serviceability, condition, monitoring and protection of the main NPP systems; the state of nuclear, radiation, environmental, technical and fire safety; emergency response procedures and trainings, and much more.
The Balakovo NPP (a branch of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC in Balakovo, Saratov Region) is one of the largest and most modern Russian energy companies. Located on the left bank of the Saratov reservoir, it has four power units with upgraded VVER-1000 reactors (modification B-320) with an installed electric capacity of 1,000 MW each. The first power unit was commissioned in 1985, the second in 1987, the third in 1988 and the fourth in 1993. Electricity from the Balakovo NPP, which provides a quarter of electricity production in the Volga Federal District, is reliably provided to consumers in the Volga region, the Center, the Urals and Siberia.