TASS: Belarus nuclear power plant launch planned on August 7
Belarusian nuclear power plant / Euroradio
The physical launch of the Unit No 1 at the Belarusian nuclear power plant in Astraviec is planned for August 7, reports the Russian news agency TASS quoting a source found together with the work timeline at the station. It means that on Friday nuclear fuel rods will be loaded into the reactor core.
On August 4, Belarusian Energy Ministry's press office said technological systems and equipment have been prepared for the start of the physical start-up, their tests have been carried out, the personnel of the BelNPP [Astravyets NPP] has been prepared and trained to perform fuel loading operations.
The physical launch of one of the plant's two power units will begin by loading 163 fuel rods into the reactor core, after which the reactor will be brought to a minimum controlled level, according to Belarusian state news agency BELTA.
The physical launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was postponed several times. President Lukashenka had announced the launch for early summer. However, it was eventually delayed until the presidential elections. Lukashenka is highly likely to attend the launch and "push the button" but no official information to confirm this is available.
The "energy" launch of the first unit is expected 90 days after the physical launch.
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