Belarusian energy minister updates on progress with BelNPP second unit

MINSK, 9 June (BelTA) – Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told the media about the work on the second unit of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP0 during the Day of Electric Transport in Minsk on 9 June, BelTA has learned.

According to Viktor Karankevich, the first unit of the BelNPP was commissioned in 2021. On 31 May 2023, the BelNPP launched a pilot operation phase of its second unit. It envisages a step-by-step increase of the reactor unit capacity from 50% to nominal, with a large number of tests of technological systems and equipment in various modes of operation of the unit, including disconnection from the power grid.

“The reactor unit is now operating at 75% of its capacity. At this capacity, a certain list of events and studies is underway. Gradually we are going to reach 100% capacity. It is all part of the pilot operation phase,” Viktor Karankevich said.

This stage will be completed with a comprehensive testing of the power unit equipment at nominal capacity of the reactor unit within 15 days. Upon successful completion of this work, the unit will be ready for acceptance for commercial operation.

Since the connection of the first unit of the BelNPP to the country's power grid, including the work conducted at the stage of pilot operation of the second unit, the total power generation by the plant amounted to 15.5 billion kWh, which helped replace about 4 billion cubic meters of natural gas.

With the commissioning of the second unit, the BelNPP will annually generate about 18.5 billion kWh of electricity.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant uses the Russian design AES-2006 featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. It is an evolutionary nuclear power plant design with third-generation water-moderated reactors. Such designs boast improved technical and economic parameters. A combination of active and passive safeguards is their key feature.