The Mochovce-3 nuclear power unit in southwest Slovakia was on Wednesday (2 February) connected to the national grid and is supplying electricity to local consumers for the first time, utility Slovenske Elektrarne said.

Slovenske Elektrarne said the VVER-440 pressurised water reactor unit had reached 20% of its design output levels before being connected to the grid.

On 13 January, the company received regulatory approval to begin startup procedures for Mochove-3. Power levels would be gradually increased to 100% of the nominal reactor output with testing continuing at various stages of the process.

Mochovce-3 has an installed capacity of 471 MW and is expected to meet about 13% of Slovakia’s electricity consumption, Slovenske Elektrarne said.