Comprehensive tests of first unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant over

MINSK, 24 May (BelTA) – Comprehensive tests of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are over, the press service of the Russian state nuclear industry corporation Rosatom told BelTA.

Comprehensive tests and trials represent the final phase of the pilot commercial operation stage of every nuclear installation. The purpose of this phase is to confirm the primary equipment can operate within design parameters in normal mode. The successful completion of this phase indicates the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is ready for commercial operation.

“The comprehensive tests take 15 days. The unit has to operate at 100% of its capacity for the duration of the tests,” ASE Company Vice President and director of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project Vitaly Polyanin said. “The phase was completed without remarks from the organization in charge of operating the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Results of the unit's operation in this phase will become the foundation for the possibility of signing the preliminary acceptance act by the acceptance commission and for starting the commercial operation of the first unit.”

The pilot commercial operation of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant began on 22 December 2020.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast.