Turbine generator of Belarus' nuclear power plant's first unit reconnected to power grid

MINSK, 22 December (BelTA) – The power startup of the first energy unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has been completed, BelTA learned from the press service of the Energy Ministry.

“All the technical tests and operations have been done. All in all, 246 tests have been conducted, including load shedding when the turbine generator's output dropped from 500MW to zero. At 19:48 on 21 December the turbine generator of the first energy unit was reconnected to power grid with the subsequent increase of the output to 500MW,” the press service noted.

The pilot commercial operation of the first unit will begin soon after the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) gives permission. As part of this stage the reactor's output will be raised to 75%-90%-100% while conducting the necessary tests, including load shedding of the turbine generator to zero.

After successful completion of the tests, a comprehensive testing of the unit will be carried out for 15 days at the rated power. Upon its completion, the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be accepted by the acceptance committee in an established manner.