Construction of second power-generating unit of Belarusian nuclear station begins

The construction of the second power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has begun, BelTA learned from Andrei Barkun, Deputy Director General for Capital Construction of the enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant.

“The foundation pit has been dug and concrete bedding has been fulfilled. Work is now in progress to build the foundation for the building of the second power-generating unit,” explained Andrei Barkun. “The construction of the reactor compartment has advanced far. The work is in full swing”.

According to the executive, the construction of the first power-generating unit proceeds alongside the construction of the second one. Plans have been made to build the foundation pit of the reactor building up to zero mark this year. The reactor’s shaft construction will have to reach plus 7.35m mark. The construction of the internal protective shell is supposed to reach 8m mark.

Work continues to build housing infrastructure for Belarusian nuclear power plant personnel. The number of service personnel is expected to reach 3,400 people by the end of the year. At present about 2,000 workers are employed at the construction site.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant will boast two power-generating units with the total generating capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian merged company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport (ASE) is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-generating unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.

Construction workers started pouring concrete into the foundation of the facilities that will make up the first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant at the Ostrovets site in November 2013.