BelNPP's second unit to reach 100% output capacity, get ready for operational acceptance in 2023

OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 19 May (BelTA) – The second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will reach 100% output capacity and will be prepared for operational acceptance in 2023, BelTA learned from Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich on 19 May.

While operating at 40% of the output capacity, the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was connected to the country's power grid on 13 May 2023. Since then it has already generated over 45 million kWh of electricity, which is transmitted to Belarusian consumers.

The output of the reactor unit of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has been raised to 50% since then. Serious work has yet to be done and a large range of tests in various modes of operation of the reactor unit and the turbine-generator unit before the nuclear power plant's second unit is commissioned for commercial operation.

Viktor Karankevich said: “There are plans to raise the output capacity of the second unit to 100%, carry out comprehensive tests of the unit at the rated output for 15 days, and get it ready for preliminary acceptance in 2023”.

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.