Posted: 22.12.2021 12:44:00

Nuclear fuel loaded into reactor

The first fuel assembly with fresh nuclear fuel was loaded into the reactor core of the second power unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) at 10.11am on December 22nd – as reported by the Telegram channel of the Energy Ministry

The department clarified that a total of 163 fuel assemblies will be loaded into the reactor. Each assembly consists of 312 fuel elements with a diameter of 9mm and a height of about 4m. The weight of fuel in one fuel assembly reaches 571kg.

“After that, works will begin on assembling and sealing the reactor with the necessary hydraulic tests. Then, there will be no less important work dealing with preparing the unit for power start-up, its inclusion in the country’s energy system, and pilot industrial operation,” added the Ministry.

The commissioning of the second power unit into commercial operation will take place in 2022.