The Nuclear Regulatory Authority on Thursday issued a decision allowing the commissioning of the third reactor block at Mochovce nuclear power plant in Nitra region, the authority itself has reported. The issuing of the permit was preceded by extensive inspections and analytical work by specialists. The construction of the reactor block began in 1987, but the work was later suspended for several years. In November 2008, the power utility Slovenske elektrarne began completing the process.
The third reactor block at Mochovce nuclear power plant in the Nitra region should be put into full operation after 18 weeks from the loading of the fuel, that is, at the beginning of next year, Slovenske Elektrarne power utility CEO Branislav Strycek stated at a press conference on Thursday. The commissioning of the reactor was made possible by a second-degree decision of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority on Thursday. SE will load fuel to the reactor after 15 days, that is, after the UJD's decision becomes final.
The commissioning phase ends after all physical and energy start-up tests have been carried out, with a 144-hour proof run at full power. The reactor block will start supplying electricity to the grid after connecting one of the generators, which will happen at 20 percent nominal power during energy start-up.
The launch of the third block’s operation has come at a rather suitable time, emphasised the Prime Minister Eduard Heger, adding that we are facing a big energy crisis these days. He noted that Slovakia is now becoming a country whose share of nuclear energy in the mix has swelled from 52 percent to 65 percent.
The new block will generate an output of 471 megawatts (MW) to cover approximately 13 percent of the overall electricity consumption. Once the third block operates at full power output following its trial run, Slovakia will become self-sufficient in terms of electricity generation.
The construction of Mochovce power plant saw significant cost overruns. The Slovenske Elektrarne (SE) power utility expected costs in the neighbourhood of €3 billion, but the final price tag climbed to €6.2 billion.
Source: TASR
