Russia-designed plant close to grid connection
Slovak utility Slovenske Elektrarne is to begin power commissioning procedures at the Mochovce-3 pressurised water reactor unit after a successful physical startup earlier this month.
The company said in a statement that the power level of the Russia-designed VVER-440 is expected to be increased to 5% and this will be followed by a round of testing.
The power level will then be gradually increased to 100% of the nominal reactor output and testing will continue at various stages of the process.
According to the statement, once the power level is at 20%, the plant will be connected to the national grid to produce its first electricity.
The company said in a statement that the power level of the Russia-designed VVER-440 is expected to be increased to 5% and this will be followed by a round of testing.
The power level will then be gradually increased to 100% of the nominal reactor output and testing will continue at various stages of the process.
According to the statement, once the power level is at 20%, the plant will be connected to the national grid to produce its first electricity.
Mochovce-3, which has an installed capacity of 471 MW, will meet about 13% of Slovakia’s electricity consumption, said Slovenske Elektrarne.
The unit achieved first criticality on 22 October 2022 after fuel loading a month earlier.
Mochnovce-3 is expected to enter full commercial operation at the beginning of 2023, earlier reports said.
Slovakia operates four commercial nuclear reactors – two at Mochovce and two at Bohunice – all of the VVER-440 design. Together the fleet generated about 52% of the country’s electricity in 2021.
Operation of the new Mochovce-3, Slovakia’s fifth unit, could bring the share of nuclear in the country’s electricity generation to 65%, putting it second behind only France, with 69%.
