Belarusian Nuclear Power Station, with its two reactors, continues construction at rapid pace
Events in Ukraine are not affecting the rate of construction, despite some reactor components being made at Energomashspetsstal enterprise in Kramatorsk (Donetsk Region). The enterprise has promised to have them ready for delivery on schedule: 24 sections for making the cover and container of the reactor, as well as for the steam generator. The Kramatorsk’s plant’s components are unique and very expensive but their quality is of the highest level.
On the construction site near Ostrovets
The site will soon receive delivery of another component: a 900-tonne molten core catcher for the second reactor. It is being shipped from Smolensk by water, and then by road, notes Vitaly Shishov, Director for Production at the Volgodonsk branch of CJSC AEM-Tekhnology. He promises that it will be dispatched in July. The molten core catcher for the first reactor unit has already been delivered and arranged for installation.
In autumn of 2015, the Volgodonsk branch intends to deliver the first reactor container. Mr. Shishov tells us, “Elements are at the final stage of production and quality control is being co-ordinated; all critical technical decisions have been made and there are no problems with production.”
By the way, Belarus’ model of promoting its nuclear energy programme is being hailed by the IAEA as one of the most successful, notes the Deputy Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Alexander Bychkov. Speaking during an online conference hosted by the BelTA website, he noted, “We recommend Belarus’ model to other countries, as there are various approaches to running nuclear programmes worldwide. Some build nuclear power stations on a commercial basis, with state support — such as the United Arab Emirates. Others, like Belarus, take responsibility not only for the construction of a nuclear power station but its supervision and operation. Both models are good but the second is preferential in some respects, although every country must make its own decisions. We believe that the Belarusian model is among the most efficient.”
On the construction site near Ostrovets
According to Mr. Bychkov, the level of Belarus-IAEA co-operation is an example to other countries launching nuclear programmes. “In promoting its own nuclear energy programme, Belarus is following the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” he added.
In November 2013, the Ostrovets site saw the launch of concrete pouring operations, for the first reactor of the Belarusian nuclear power station. There are to be two reactors, with a total capacity of 2,400MW (1,200MW each) daily. Following the Russian AES-2006 design, they are to be fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian United Company OJSC NIAEP, CJSC Atomstroyexport is the general designer and contractor for the site, with the first reactor due to launch in November 2018.
