WANO experts complete prelaunch inspection of Belarusian nuclear power plant's first unit

MINSK, 21 October (BelTA) – Experts of the Moscow center of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) have completed the final stage of the prelaunch inspection of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.

The WANO specialists examined actions of various shifts of the nuclear power plant personnel on a full-scale simulator of the reactor unit's central control room during scenarios that simulated normal operation, breakdowns, and emergencies. Apart from that, the experts evaluated how the Belarusian nuclear power plant had adopted 70 recommendations as a result of WANO's Significant Operating Experience Reports (SOER).

In the course of observation, interviews, and perusal of documents the experts did not find any shortcomings that may stand in the way of the safe launch of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The final report of the expert team will be forwarded to the management of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in late 2020.

The experts praised the high degree of cooperation the nuclear power plant's management and personnel had demonstrated.

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.