Opinions & Interviews

POSTAVY DISTRICT, 31 July (BelTA) – The Postavy electrical substation enhances reliability and efficiency of the Belarusian power grid, said Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik who attended the inauguration ceremony of the electrical substation in Postavy District on 31 July, BelTA has learned.

“We need the facility to secure the supply of power from the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Apart from that, the substation enhances the reliability and efficiency of the Belarusian power grid. The project envisages 23 startup facilities. The project is slated for implementation in 2018,” the minister told the media.

Vladimir Potupchik stated that eight systems had already been launched. Five more will be ready before the end of the year. “The substation is a key facility for the Belarusian power grid. More than $40 million has been invested. Money was used to buy and install the up-to-date technological equipment of the world’s leading companies. The station was built by Belarusian and Chinese companies,” Vladimir Potupchik said.

In his words, the substation has seven 330kV power lines (the biggest number for the Belarusian substations), including two lines that will connect the facility with the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “The commissioning of this key substation is of great importance for us. It will be connected to the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Energy transmitted via its lines is necessary to test the equipment of the nuclear power plant and prepare for the commissioning of the first energy unit. That is why the construction schedule envisages the building of this substation in the first place, and then all other technical matters related to the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant,” the minister stressed.

Attending the inauguration event were representatives of the North China Power Engineering Co. (NCPE). It was noted that during the implementation of the project the company received a lot of assistance from the Belarusian government and the country’s power companies. The Chinese partners expressed sincere gratitude to all who is involved in the implementation of the project and stressed that the commissioned facility is a result of fruitful joint efforts of the two countries. The Chinese representatives also affirmed readiness to further strengthen cooperation with Belarus and take part in the implementation of the country’s energy projects.

The 330kV Postavy substation was built on the border between Braslav District and Postavy District. The construction began in 2015. The subcontracting enterprises included organizations that are part of Belenergo, Belenergosetproyekt and Belelektromontazhnaladka.