The Belarusian-2 nuclear power plant began trial operation on 31 May, a stage which will see reactor output increased to its maximum level, the operator said in a statement.
The Belarusian nuclear power station said power levels will be increased from the current 50% of full capacity to 100% and will be coupled with a wide range of technical, equipment, and operating testing, including a brief disconnect from the national power grid.
The official Belta news agency quoted a ministry of energy official as saying that the Belarusian-2 reactor output level was in the process of being raised to 75%, with a total of more than 200 tests scheduled.
On 13 May 2023, Belarusian-2 was connected to the national grid and started generating electricity for the first time. The unit turbines were tuned on when the reactor system reached 40% of its full power output.
Earlier reports said twin Belarusian-2 is earmarked for commercial operation in October 2023.
There are two Russia-supplied Generation III VVER-1200 reactor units at the Ostrovets site in western Belarus, near the Lithuanian border.
Belarusian-1 became the country’s first nuclear power plant to begin commercial operation in June 2021 after being connected to the grid in November 2020.
