Russia-designed unit has already supplied about 500,000 MWh of electricity to grid
The power level of the Mochovce-3 nuclear power plant in southwest Slovakia has been increased to 75% with a final trial run at 100% power scheduled for autumn.
Operator Slovenske Elektrarne said the startup process involves gradual increases in power with tests carried out at every stage before the level is raised.
Once the tests at 75% are completed there will be further tests at 90% and then 100%. The unit's power was increased to 55% in March, when the plan was for a final trial run at 100% – lasting six days and nights – would take place in June.
The company said that by mid-July the unit had supplied about 500,000 MWh of electricity to the grid, which it said was equal to the annual consumption of 200,000 households.
At full operation, Mochovce-3 is expected to meet about 13% of Slovakia’s electricity consumption, enough to fuel about 750,000 households.
Slovakia operates four commercial nuclear reactors – two at Mochovce and two at Bohunice – all of the VVER-440 type. The fleet generates about 59% of the country’s electricity.
Construction of the first two Mochovce units, Mochovce-1 (467 MW) and Mochovce-2 (469 MW), began in 1983. Work began on Mochovce-3 (440 MW) and Mochovce-4 (440 MW) in 1987, but stalled in 1992 because of funding problems.
Mochovce-1 began commercial operation in 1998 and Mochovce-2 in 2000.
