BelNPP second unit generates first billion kWh of electricity

MINSK, 31 July (BelTA) - The second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) generated the first billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry.

Since its connection to the national grid the BelNPP second unit has produced 1 billion 63 million kWh. "This is the first significant production milestone in the work of the unit achieved as part of its pilot commercial operation program," the Energy Ministry noted.

The program continues. Work has been successfully carried out to raise the output of the second unit to 50%, 75%, 90%, 100% of the nominal one. Tests of technological systems and equipment continue. Specialists will take a broad range of measurements. As part of the process the unit will also be unloaded and parameters of the equipment will be evaluated before performance testing at nominal power levels begins.

With the commissioning of the second unit, the Belarusian nuclear power plant will generate about 18.5 billion kWh of electricity per year, which will replace about 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas.