The second unit at the nuclear power plant in Belarus is now expected to be connected to the country's power system in the first three months of 2023, according to Energy Minister Victor Karankevich.

 

During the media briefing he said the country's energy system was 'working stably' (Image: Belarus Energy Ministry)
 

According to the Ministry of Energy, Karankevich told journalists at a news conference at the Belta news agency: "The Belarusian nuclear power plant is the most important project for the domestic energy sector. The second unit is 97% ready. The scheduled commissioning works are now in progress at the unit.

 

"The power startup of the second unit and its connection to the power grid are scheduled for the first quarter of 2023."

 

In May, the energy ministry said it hoped for the second unit to be connected to the grid in 2022. The first power unit of Belarus's nuclear power plant, in Ostrovets, was connected to the grid in November 2020. The energy ministry says that since its inclusion in the grid, 10.4 billion kWh of electricity has been generated.

 

It says that once both units - Russian VVER-1200 reactors - are commissioned, the plant will produce about 18.5 TWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas, with an annual effect on the country's economy of about USD 550 million.

 

In his briefing, covering a wide range of energy-related topics, Karankevich was reported as saying that "despite the difficult external situation, the energy system of Belarus is working stably" and "energy supply organisations provide reliable energy supplies to consumers in the required volumes".