Fission chain reaction launched at Belarus' nuclear power plant

MINSK, 12 October (BelTA) – A controlled fission chain reaction was launched in the reactor of the first energy unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP), BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry.

“In line with the BelNPP construction schedule, the fission chain reaction was successfully launched in the first energy unit; the unit was brought to minimum control power (MCP),” the press service informed. Thus, the reactor has started its service life.

In the near future a set of tests will be conducted in the first energy unit to confirm the operational reliability of the reactor's entire monitoring and safety systems. After that, the unit will be prepared for power start-up when the reactor power is gradually increased.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using the Russian design AES-2006 featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The Russian state nuclear industry corporation Rosatom is the general contractor. Generation III+ reactor units boast improved technical and economic parameters. A unique combination of active and passive safeguards is their main peculiarity.