Construction of second unit of Belarusian nuclear station 6-8 months ahead of schedule

The construction of the second power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is 6-8 months ahead of schedule, BelTA learned from Yuri Neretin, chief engineer of the representative office of OAO NIAEP, at the suppliers conference Atomex Belarus on 1 April. The conference was held as part of the international specialized nuclear industry expo AtomExpo Belarus 2014.

The specialist said that the work on the first unit is on schedule while the work on the second unit is 6-8 months ahead of schedule due to different evaluations. As far as the second unit is concerned, they are now preparing the foundation pit in line with the design, concrete structures for the main buildings are being placed. On the whole, he remarked that the facility may be commissioned sooner than expected thanks to the faster construction pace.

Yuri Neretin stated that the bulk of the preparations at the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant had been done, the infrastructure objects are ready. “The remaining equipment is being installed, with startup and commissioning in progress at individual systems,” he added. In his words, since November 2013 they have poured about 50,000m3 of concrete into the foundations of buildings and structures at the construction site. At the same time the reinforcement of the foundations for the second power-generating unit is in progress.

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. 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.