Trial run of second unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant scheduled for March-April

OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 3 February (BelTA) – A trial linkup of the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant to the national power grid is scheduled for March-April 2023, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

After that specialists will have to carry out a large number of physical and electric tests and other tests in various operation modes while gradually upping the unit's output.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk said: “The first connection to the power grid does not mean that the unit will not be disconnected. In accordance with programs we have to increase its output to certain levels, carry out tests, reduce the output to zero and test again. The unit will start operating with the output set at 40-50MW. A series of tests will follow. Then the output will be raised up to 75MW followed by a series of tests. The next level is 90MW and so on. The process will take at least half a year. Ensuring the safe operation of the nuclear power plant's unit, nuclear and radiation safety is the most important thing for us. This is why we are approaching the work meticulously.”

The official stressed that all the processes at the Belarusian nuclear power plant are closely overseen. For instance, an inspection by the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) took place last week.

In his words, construction and installation work at the second unit has been nearly finished. Startup and commissioning operations are in progress. Then the reactor unit's output will be raised to the minimum controllable power level.

The first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was commissioned on 10 June 2021. The acceptance commission signed the relevant certificate on the basis of positive conclusions of oversight agencies and the working commission of the Belarusian nuclear power plant as well as on the basis of the license the regulatory body had issued for the commercial operation of the first unit. The commercial operation stage was preceded by a large amount of work meant to check the readiness of technological systems and equipment to operate at specified heat and electricity output levels. The necessary tests had been done and the personnel had been trained.

The first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant underwent its first scheduled preventive repair in 2022. Nuclear power plants undergo such scheduled preventive repairs every year. The maintenance is meant to ensure reliable operation of the equipment and technological systems. Essential equipment of the reactor unit, a turbine generator, and main circulation pumps was repaired. About 3,000 technological systems and equipment units underwent diagnostics. The first reloading of spent nuclear fuel was completed: 48 out of 163 fuel assembly rods were replaced in line with the regulations. The first unit is now operating at its rated output.