4.3bn kWh of electricity generated by Belarusian nuclear power plant's first unit so far

MINSK, 26 October (BelTA) – Since it was connected to the power grid in November 2020, the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has generated 4.3 billion kWh of electricity. It allowed substituting 1.2 billion m3 of natural gas. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement as he met with workers of Grodno cogeneration plant No.2, the ministry's press service told BelTA.

Electricity generated by the Belarusian nuclear power plant is fed to all parts of the country. It became possible after the main measures meant to integrate the nuclear power plant into the national power grid were completed. In particular, about 1,600km of high-voltage power lines were built, four backbone electric substations were upgraded, and the 330kV high-tech substation Postavy was commissioned. Modern electric boilers with the total installed capacity of 916MW were commissioned at 20 facilities. They are already actively used in 2021 for heating major population centers. Work continues to build peaking and backup power plants with the total capacity of 800MW to keep the power grid operating reliably taking into account various modes of the nuclear power plant's operation.

The readiness of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is 90%. It will be commissioned in 2022. The Belarusian nuclear power plant will be able to generate about 18.5 billion kWh of electricity per annum, which will allow substituting about 4.5 billion m3 of natural gas.

During the trip to Grodno cogeneration plant No.2 Viktor Karankevich visited the central control room and the central heating control room, a gas turbine control room and was made familiar with key indicators of the enterprise's performance. Results of implementation of the projects for commissioning electric boilers and reconstructing a turbine unit were reviewed.

While talking to the local workers Viktor Karankevich answered questions concerning prospects of development of the nuclear energy industry in Belarus, the development of the power grid, the commissioning of new generating facilities, the availability of rented housing for the cogeneration plant's workers, and other questions.