Work at first unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant proceeds on schedule

MINSK, 20 August (BelTA) – Tests are in progress at the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in order to make transition to the reactor power startup. Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich was made familiar with progress of the work on 19 August, the ministry's press service told BelTA.

The minister was made familiar with the work at the first unit. Fuel was loaded into the first reactor and the necessary tests were in progress in order to transition to the reactor power startup stage. Work proceeds on schedule, the source assured.

The energy minister also talked to workers of the nuclear power plant. The situation in the collective was calm and routine. Key tasks for the near future were discussed.

BelTA reported earlier that the power startup of the first unit and its connection to the country's power grid are scheduled for Q4 2020.

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.

According to the Energy Ministry, the launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will satisfy about one third of the country's demand for electricity. It will also allow substituting 4.5 billion m3 of natural gas per annum and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than 7 million tonnes per year.