Belarusian nuclear power plant's second unit now connected to country's power grid

MINSK, 13 May (BelTA) – As part of the step-by-step reactor power startup program the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was connected to the country's power grid at 13:24 on 13 May. The unit started generating electricity for the country, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.

The synchronization of the turbine-generator unit of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant with the country's power grid had been preceded by a great deal of work, including bringing the reactor unit to a critical condition and then to a minimum controllable power level and then to 40% of the designed output capacity.

All the technological operations were carried out in accordance with the regulations and while observing the necessary safety precautions.

Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich noted: “One of the most important and responsible substages of the unit's reactor power startup has been completed. It is the result of massive work involving installation and tuning of equipment, organization of serious preparations before starting up the turbine and testing its no-load operation. The second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has been successfully connected to the national power grid. The electricity it generates is being transmitted to consumers across the country.”

The Energy Ministry added that specialists will continue gradually raising the unit's output up to 100%. The unit will have to complete a pilot commercial operation stage, which provides for a broad range of tests of the unit's technological systems and equipment in various modes, including the unit's disconnection from the national power grid.

The second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is supposed to be fully commissioned this year.