goingcritical:obninsk-aps-1Soviet Union · Power reactor

Obninsk APS-1

Developer: Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE), Soviet Academy of Sciences

Site: Obninsk, Kaluga Oblast, USSR

Status: Critical since May 9, 1954 critical

Summary:

First nuclear power plant to deliver electricity to a civilian grid (June 26, 1954)

Details

DesignAM-1 graphite-moderated water-cooled channel reactor
Capacity5 MWe

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality May 9, 1954
  5. Grid connection June 26, 1954
  6. Commercial operation —

References

  1. ANS Nuclear Newswire, Obninsk anniversary (criticality 9 May 1954; some accounts give 6 May)
  2. Nuclear Engineering International, Obninsk number one