13.10.2020
On 11 October at 2:26 (Moscow time) the reactor of power unit No.1 of Belarus NPP (the General Designer and the General Contractor - Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division) was brought to minimum controllable level of power (MCL).
It means that a self-sustained controlled nuclear reaction started in the reactor core.
Bringing the reactor to MCL (less than 1% of the rated power) marks the start of the final part of testing at the physical startup stage of the power unit and enables the specialists to carry out in a safe manner a number of measurements and check the physical characteristics of the reactor core for compliance with the project requirements.
Totally, over 50 surveys and studies will be conducted, which will allow clarifying the neutron-physical characteristics of the first fuel loading of the reactor received during calculations, as well as confirming the reliability of protections, interlocks and the whole nuclear and physical control and nuclear safety systems of the reactor plant.
The results of tests conducted will be provided to the authorized bodies of the Republic of Belarus in order to obtain a permit for the power start-up of the power unit, followed by a stepwise power ascension.
Belarus NPP with two VVER-1200 reactors having a total capacity of 2400 MW is being constructed in Ostrovets (Republic of Belarus). The Russian III+ generation design that is fully compliant with the international standards and IAEA safety recommendations has been selected for the first NPP in Belarus.
Belarus NPP Unit 1 is the first generation III+ power unit built abroad under Russian technologies. Currently, three power units of similar type have been successfully operating in Russia: two power units at the Novovoronezh NPP and one power unit - at the Leningrad NPP. The fourth generation III+ power unit - Unit No. 6 of Leningrad NPP, was brought to the Minimal Controllable Level of power in August. This technology was also selected by such countries as Finland, Hungary, Bangladesh.
Communications Division
Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division
For reference:
Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division unites the leading companies of the nuclear industry: ASE EC JSC (Nizhny Novgorod), JSC Atomstroyexport (Moscow), JSC Atomenergoproekt (Moscow) and JSC ATOMPROEKT (Saint-Petersburg) and others.
The Engineering Division is the leader in terms of project portfolio and the number of NPP projects that are constructed abroad simultaneously.
About 80% of the Division's income is accounted for by foreign projects.
The Engineering Division implements design and construction projects for high-power NPPs both in Russia and abroad, it renders a full range of EPC, EPC(M) services including project management and designing and develops Multi-D technologies for management of complex engineering facilities. The Engineering Division is guided by the achievements of the nuclear power industry in Russia and innovative state-of-the-art technologies.
We construct reliable and safe NPPs with III+Gen VVER reactors that are in line with all international requirements and recommendations.
www.ase-ec.ru
