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First unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant about to undergo hydraulic tests

MINSK, 2 May (BelTA) – Preparations are in progress to begin hydraulic tests of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk on 2 May.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk said: “On 20 May we are supposed to begin a very important stage of startup and commissioning work – the so-called hydrotests, circulation flushing followed by cold and hot trials initially using reduced parameters and then using designed parameters.”

Conferences with top officials of Rosenergoatom are held every week in the run-up to the tests. “Our job is to make the unit part of the power grid this year,” the official noted.

As for the second unit, general construction work is nearing completion, equipment is being installed.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.

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