I&C upgrade measures for VVER model V213 units in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia

NNC have been involved in the first two phases of PHARE project EC/ENE15 for the upgrade of the I&C on three VVER model V213 nuclear power plants in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Slovakia. The terms of reference for this work were: to establish the technical and other reasons for replacement of the I&C; to develop an outline design intent, programme and budget cost; to prepare the technical specifications for the upgraded I&C systems; and to prepare other documents to support the enquiry process for the I&C upgrade. This paper draws on the work undertaken by NNC, briefly describing the plants, their operational history, the reasons for upgrading and the upgrades initiated to date. It then considers some of the constraints and technical difficulties, decisions to be taken and preparatory work required for the early stages of implementation.