Balakovo nuclear power plant is located in the city of Balakovo, Saratov Oblast, Russia, about 900 kilometers south-east of Moscow. It consists of four operational reactors; a fifth unit is still under construction. Owner and operator of the nuclear power station is Energoatom.

Balakovo is the partner power station of Biblis Nuclear Power Plant.

In 27 June 1985, during initial startup of the reactor 1, due to a human error (caused by inexperience and haste) a pressurizer relief valve unexpectedly opened and 300 °C hot steam entered the staff work area. 14 people were killed. This event is quoted as one of the predecessors of the Chernobyl disaster.

Unit Reactor type Net
capacity		 Gross
capacity		 Construction
started		 Electricity
Grid		 Commercial
Operation
Balakovo - 1 WWER-1000/320 950 MW 1.000 MW 01.12.1980 28.12.1985 23.05.1986
Balakovo - 2 WWER-1000/320 950 MW 1.000 MW 01.08.1981 08.10.1987 12.01.1988
Balakovo - 3 WWER-1000/320 950 MW 1.000 MW 01.11.1982 25.12.1988 08.04.1989
Balakovo - 4 WWER-1000/320 950 MW 1.000 MW 01.04.1984 12.05.1993 22.12.1993
Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant
Data
Country Russia
Operator Energoatom
Built December 1, 1980
Start of commercial operation May 23, 1986
Reactors
Reactors active 4 (4,000 MW)
Reactors under construction 1 (1,000 MW)
Power
Total power generation in 2006 29,062 GW·h
Average annual generation (last 5 yrs) 27,720 GW·h
Net generation 387,580 GW·h
Status Operating