59 years ago, the world’s first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 5 MW was built in Obninsk. In 1951, the Soviet government commissioned the renowned Soviet physicist and scientist Igor Vasilyevich Kurchatov to build the world’s first atomic power station in the city of Obninsk.2 photos

59 years ago
In Obninsk, the world’s first nuclear power plant with a capacity of 5 megawatts was put into operation.

In 1951, the Soviet government commissioned the renowned Soviet physicist and scientist Igor Vasilyevich Kurchatov to build the world’s first nuclear power plant in Obninsk—a facility that would serve as an example of the peaceful use of atomic energy.

Three years later, on June 27, 1954, the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant, equipped with the AM-1 graphite-uranium reactor (“Atom Mirny”), with a capacity of 5 megawatts, generated its first commercial power output.

Soon after, Obninsk became the world’s first modern scientific research city. Here, models for other, more powerful nuclear power plants were developed.
Following the successful operation of the “peaceful reactor,” scientists began construction of the Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant in the Soviet Union—this plant had a capacity of 300 megawatts and was put into operation in 1964.

The experience gained from operating the Obninsk plant was also taken into account during the design of small-scale nuclear power plants intended to provide heat and electricity to regions such as Tyumen and Chukotka.

In Obninsk, a fast-neutron reactor was developed; this type of reactor is still used in some models of nuclear submarines today.

In 2002, the reactor at the Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant was shut down for economic reasons. Maintaining it in a safe condition became increasingly costly over time, and continuing its operation no longer held any scientific or technical significance.