BelNPP launches trial commercial operation of second unit

MINSK, 31 May (BelTA) - The trial commercial operation stage of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has begun. Belarusian nuclear safety watchdog Gosatomnadzor issued the corresponding permit the day before, BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry of Belarus.

The trial commercial operation stage suggests a phased increase in the capacity of the reactor unit from 50% to 100% and a large range of tests in various modes of operation of the reactor unit, including disconnection from the grid. "All in all, we will conduct more than 200 such tests. Currently, the output of the reactor is being raised to 75% of the nominal one," the Energy Ministry informed.

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.