Within three days from the moment of being connected to the unified energy system, more than 22 million kWh of electricity were supplied from BelNPP, which saved 6.4 million cubic meters. natural gas worth about USD 1 million.
Electricity from the nuclear power plant is supplied to all regions of the country. The reactor of the first power unit operates at 40% capacity.
The power start-up was preceded by a large amount of activity - to check the readiness of technological systems and equipment for the stages of thermal and electrical power development, to conduct the necessary tests, and to train personnel.
In accordance with the test programs, the power unit's capacity will be gradually increased to the design capacity of 1190 MW. Commissioning of the first power unit is planned in the first quarter of 2021.
“Today our country is becoming a nuclear power state, this is a huge success, this is the crown, if you like, maybe the stage of our country's sovereignty and independence. It testifies to the fact that we have brainy people and have reliable friends who helped create this unique facility that will serve us for a very long time. We, older people, will leave this life, and this facility will benefit people,” the Head of State noted.
“Ostrovets NPP is a new step into the future, towards ensuring the energy security of the state,” the President stressed. - Here, at the first power unit, we will produce about 20% of the country's total electricity demand. The work of the second block will give us the same amount. Further we will get more. The launch of the station will serve as an impetus to attract the most advanced technologies to the country. And not only in energy. But also in the development of electric transport, the creation of new electric-intensive industries, innovative directions in science and education."
As the Minister of Energy of the Republic of Belarus Viktor Karankevich informed, reporting on the progress of the construction of BelNPP, 130 different buildings and structures were made on an area of more than 100 hectares. “With the commissioning of the first power unit, 88 facilities will be commissioned, with the commissioning of the second – 42,” he explained.
According to Viktor Karankevich, BelNPP will produce about 18 billion kWh annually. The launch of the nuclear power plant will replace about 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The foreign exchange burden on the budget will decrease by more than $ 500 million. USA. Greenhouse gas emissions will decrease by more than 7 million tons per year. "The life of the station is 60 years, with the possibility of extending up to 100 years," the Minister added. In total, over 2.5 thousand people will work at BelNPP, about 60 of them are specialists from Russia and Ukraine with experience of working at nuclear power plants.
