The physical startup for the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power station near Ostrovets is expected in the autumn of 2021, Belarusian minister of energy Viktor Karankevich told journalists.
Mr Karankevich was quoted by Belarusian state news agency Belta as saying that Belarusian-2 is at an “85% readiness level” with work progressing on schedule.
Last month the first fuel batch for the Russia-made VVER-1200 pressurised water reactor unit was delivered onsite following the loading of dummy fuel assemblies in March 2021.
Mr Karankevich said actual fuel loading for Belarusian-2 is scheduled for the autumn of this year.
Mr Karankevich was quoted by Belarusian state news agency Belta as saying that Belarusian-2 is at an “85% readiness level” with work progressing on schedule.
Last month the first fuel batch for the Russia-made VVER-1200 pressurised water reactor unit was delivered onsite following the loading of dummy fuel assemblies in March 2021.
Mr Karankevich said actual fuel loading for Belarusian-2 is scheduled for the autumn of this year.
There are two 1,109-MW VVER-1200 reactor units at the Belarusian site near the town of Ostrovets, close to the border with Lithuania. Construction of Unit 1 began in November 2013 and of Unit 2 in April 2014.
Belarusian-1 has been connected to the grid and is approaching commercial operation, going through the final stages of commissioning testing.
According to the latest government timeframe, Belarusian-2 is expected to become commercial in 2022.
The cost of the two units, largely funded by a loan from Russia, has been reported as $11bn (€9bn). Russia’s Rosatom is developing the project under a 2011 intergovernmental agreement.
Upon completion, the two-unit station is expected to meet about 40% of Belarusian demand for electricity.
