5bn kWh of electricity generated by Belarusian nuclear power plant's first unit so far

BELOOZERSK, 24 November (BelTA) – Since it was connected to the power grid in November 2020, the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has generated 5 billion kWh of electricity. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement as he met with workers of the Bereza state district power plant on 24 November, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “The first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was commissioned in June 2021. It has made 5 billion kWh of electricity since the first synchronization or since connection to the power grid. The unit generates about 28 million kWh of electricity every day or about 25% of the total amount of electricity Belarusian power plants generate every day.”

According to the energy minister, the readiness of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is 90%. “We intend to begin the so-called physical launch stage this year when the loading of fresh nuclear fuel into the reactor core will begin. The commercial operation of the second unit is supposed to begin in 2022,” he said.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is expected to generate about 18.5 kWh of electricity per annum. It will allow substituting about 4.5 billion m3 of natural gas every year in addition to reducing carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere by roughly 7 million tonnes.

Viktor Karankevich was made familiar with the strategy on developing the Bereza state district power plant for the next few years and with progress in the power plant's modernization.