Belarusian NPP
In accordance with the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated November 12, 2007 No. 565 "On some measures for the construction of a nuclear power plant", in December 2007, the State Institution "Directorate for the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant" was established.
Under the Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated December 30, 2013 No. 583 “On the reorganization of the State Institution "Directorate for the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant", the Institution was reorganized into the Republican Unitary Enterprise "Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant" (State Enterprise "Belarusian NPP").
The Enterprise performs the functions of the customer for the construction and the operator (operating organization) for commissioning, operation, limitation of operating parameters, extension of the service life and decommissioning of the Belarusian NPP.
The Belarusian NPP with two VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 2,400 MW is being built according to a Russian project near Ostrovets (Grodno region).
Each power unit of the Belarusian NPP is equipped with a V-491 reactor with a pressurized water-water energetic reactor. The thermal diagram is double circuit.
As part of the NPP power unit, the operation of the reactor plant is envisaged both in the basic and in the maneuvering modes.
The reactor plant includes a pressurized water-water energetic reactor of a vessel type with a nominal thermal power of 3200 MW and a coolant pressure of 16.2 MPa. The coolant and moderator in the reactor are water with boric acid, the concentration of which is changed during operation. Low-enriched uranium dioxide is used as fuel in the core.
The reactor plant has four horizontal steam generators of the PGV-1000MKP type. The productivity of each steam generator is (1602 + 112) t / h of dry saturated steam with a pressure of 7.0 MPa.
The reactor plant also includes four main circulation pumps of the GTsNA-1391 type; main circulation pipelines Du 850; pressure compensation system; equipment in reactor concrete cavity; security systems.
Basic technical characteristics of the Belarusian NPP Project
|
Characteristics, units of measurement |
Value of parameter (characteristic) |
|
Type of project |
AES-2006 |
|
Number of power units, pcs. |
2 |
|
Nominal gross electrical capacity, MWe |
2 х 1194 |
|
Design service life, years |
60 |
|
Capacity utilisation factor, % |
90 |
|
Annual electrical output (by two power units), bn kW·h |
17,74 |
|
Reactor coolant flow rate, m3/h |
85 600 ± 2 900 |
|
Input reactor coolant temperature, °C |
298, 6 |
|
Output reactor coolant temperature, °C |
329,7 |
Safety of the Belarusian NPP
The generation "3+" design of the Belarusian NPP meets the most modern, so-called post-Fukushima standards of reliability and safety.
Safety assurance in the NPP design is based on the defense in depth principle – the use of a system of barriers to prevent the release of ionizing radiation and radioactive substances into the environment.
The barrier system includes:
- • a fuel matrix which prevents fission products release under the fuel element cladding;
- • fuel element cladding which prevents fission products release into the coolant of primary circuit;
- • the primary circuit to prevent fission products release under the containment;
- • a system of containments to prevent fission products release into the environment.
International Cooperation
Since the adoption of the national nuclear power program in 2008, thanks to fruitful cooperation with competent international organizations, the Republic of Belarus has made significant progress in the field of creating the infrastructure necessary for nuclear power.
According to the IAEA Nuclear Energy Series, Belarus is at the turn of Belarusian NPP personnel readiness for commissioning, as well as for safe and sustainable operation of the nuclear power plant throughout its entire life cycle.
Considering that Belarus is a newcomer country in the field of nuclear energy, the IAEA support and cooperation with it are of paramount importance for the country. The Belarusian NPP and the country as a whole received significant assistance from the Agency in the framework of technical cooperation projects.
One of the most important international partners of the Belarusian NPP is the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO). Since the signing of the cooperation agreement in 2015, the WANO has been providing effective consulting and expert support, and also helps to solve issues related to maintaining the required level of competence and qualifications of personnel, as well as issues in other areas.
In 2018, an agreement between the State Enterprise "Belarusian NPP" and JSC Concern Rosenergoatom was signed on scientific and technical cooperation in the development of operational human resources, improving the quality of NPP service, methodological assistance on various issues related to ensuring NPP safety.
The Belarusian NPP regularly holds on its site and takes part in international events of various formats within the framework of existing memorandums and intergovernmental agreements in the field of nuclear energy peaceful use with countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Austria, Ukraine, Czech Republic, China, Japan, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey, Bangladesh and others.
In 2020, the Belarusian NPP took part in the consideration and approval of the program of cooperation between the CIS member states in the field of nuclear energy peaceful use for the period up to 2030 and the Action Plan for its implementation for the period 2021-2025.
Cooperation with international organizations in the field of nuclear energy will allow the Belarusian NPP to expand its capabilities for secure, reliable and safe commissioning, subsequent operation of the nuclear power plant and the creation of an improved nuclear power infrastructure for peaceful use of nuclear energy.
