Belarusian nuclear plant’s Unit 2 reaches 50 percent capacity

May 19, BPN. Unit 2 of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (NPP) has reached 50 percent of its capacity, the energy ministry’s press office reported.

Prime Minister Raman Hałoŭčanka, Energy Minister Viktar Karankievič and Rosatom CEO Aleksey Likhachev observed the capacity increase at the site.

The contractor started the physical launch of Unit 2 on April 5. On May 13, it was connected to the grid and has already generated more than 45 million kWh of electricity, according to Karankievič.

Unit 2 reactor’s capacity will be gradually brought to 100 percent, the energy ministry said. The pilot operation foresees extensive tests in different operating modes, including disconnection from the grid, it added.

The Belarusian NPP is located near Astraviec, Hrodna region, some 10 miles away from the Lithuanian border. Designed by Russia’s Rosatom, it has also been built with a Russian loan. Lithuania views the plant as unsafe and describes it as a “geopolitical weapon.”

Unit 1 started pilot operation in November 2020, and commercial operation, in June 2021. Unit 2 is scheduled to begin commercial operation in October.