Commercial operation of Belarusian nuclear power plant's second unit to begin in H2 2023

OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 3 February (BelTA) – Commercial operation of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin in H2 2023, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

The first trial linkup of the second unit to the national power grid is scheduled for March-April. A massive number of tests will be carried out. “Once we reach 100% of the output capacity and complete all the necessary tests, the unit will have to go through pilot commercial operation. The signing of the operation commencement act will crown it all. The unit is expected to be commissioned in the second half of the year,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk said.

Commercial operation of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant began on 10 June 2021.

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 with enhanced safety. Such designs boast improved technical and economic parameters. A combination of active and passive safeguards is their key feature. The building housing the reactor is covered by a double protective shell. The reactor can survive an earthquake, a hurricane, or flooding.

The VVER technology is by far the most demanded and tested in the world. The technology was used to commission nuclear power plants in China and India over the course of the last ten years and will be used to commission nuclear power plants in Egypt, Türkiye, Hungary, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan.