The second power unit of Belarus NPP included in unified energy system of the Republic of Belarus

On May 13 at 13:24 (Moscow time) the second power unit of Belarus NPP (the general designer and the general contractor – the Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation) for the first time was synchronized with the grid and generated the first kilowatt-hours of electrical power in the unified power system of the Republic of Belarus.

Turbine generator connection to the grid at 40% of rated capacity confirms the readiness of all nuclear facility systems and equipment to generate electricity. In the next few days, specialists will increase the capacity up to 50% and conduct a series of dynamic tests to check the thermal characteristics of the main equipment of the power unit reactor and turbine compartments against the design values. These tests conclude the “Power Startup” stage. After receiving a permit from the Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Belarus (Gosatomnadzor of the Republic of Belarus), the specialists will proceed to the final part of the nuclear power facility commissioning program – pilot operation, which consists of staged stepwise reactor unit power increase up to 100% of its rated capacity with dynamic tests in different operating modes of the power unit with shutdown of main equipment, including checking of the full de-energizing mode of the power unit.

Specialists of ATEX JSC (part of Rusatom Service JSC) which is one of the key companies involved in power units commissioning, provide services on technical support of Belarusian operating personnel during introduction of process modes on and performance of operational switchover operations with equipment and systems at the stages of commissioning and testing, as well as during arranging and introduction of operating mode at the stages of power units commissioning.

Comprehensive support on the part of Russian colleagues makes it possible to share experience with Belarusian specialists, to minimize risks of equipment damage caused by human factor, and also to facilitate effective and comfortable transfer of responsibility for safe operation of the power unit to the Customer with maximum involvement of Belarusian operating personnel with full support of Russian specialists.

On June 10, 2021, Power Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP, which became the first nuclear power facility of the new generation III+ built using Russian technologies abroad, was put into commercial operation.

Commercial operation of Power Unit 2 of the Belarusian NPP is scheduled for the fall of 2023. After that the total electricity output of the Belarusian NPP will be about 18 billion kilowatt-hours per year. The plant will meet about 40% of Belarus' domestic electricity needs and will allow to replace about 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually.

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Rusatom Service JSC is a member of the Electric Power division of Rosatom State Corporation. The company provides services to energy facilities in various sectors of the energy industry. The company is present in almost every country with operating VVER NPP outside Russia.

The geography of Rusatom Service JSC projects covers more than 15 countries around the world: from Europe to Asia. The references of Rusatom Service JSC include comprehensive projects for life extension, maintenance and repair, supply of equipment and spares, nuclear infrastructure, consulting services and training.

As part of the Robotics business line, the company offers services for the design and manufacture of robotic systems and other non-standard equipment for nuclear industry enterprises and beyond.

Engineering and Technology Center GET JSC (part of Rusatom Service JSC) is a leader in the simulation engineering and mathematical modeling for NPP and TPP. The company's scope of activities includes testing of process algorithms of the designed power units, research on human-machine interface, development of support systems for NPP operating personnel in emergencies.

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