SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

Second Power Unit of the VVER-1200 Reactor in Service

The second power unit - also a Russian VVER-1200 reactor - was connected to the grid in November 2020, and, according to the Ministry of Energy, the plant will produce around 18.5 TWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, with an annual impact on the country's economy of around $550 million.

Share:

Mise en service réussie de la centrale

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

SUBSCRIBE - 99$/year

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The second power unit of the VVER-1200 reactor is now operational, making a significant contribution to the country’s electricity supply. Since its synchronization with the grid in May and full commissioning in June, the unit has generated more than 2 TWh of electricity.

 

Successful cooperation between Russia and Belarus

According to Rosatom, under contractual obligations, responsibility for the operability of the unit’s equipment now rests with Rosatom during the warranty period.

Vitaly Polyanin, vice-president of ASE JSC and director of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction project, emphasized the importance of cooperation between Russian and Belarusian specialists in the successful and timely completion of this project. He also noted that other countries, including Bangladesh, Hungary, Egypt, Turkey and China, also had projects underway to build VVER-1200 power units.

 

Challenges and delays in the construction of the nuclear power plant

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is located at Ostrovet in the Grodno region. The parties signed the general construction contract in 2011, with the first concrete poured in November 2013. Construction of Unit 2 began in May 2014. There are currently six VVER-1200 reactors in service, four of them in Russia.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stressed the importance of safety at the nuclear power plant in the wake of the Chernobyl disaster. He also mentioned delays in commissioning and compensation issues, to which Rosatom responded by emphasizing their close collaboration with their Belarusian counterparts and the exceptional circumstances surrounding the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.

The successful commissioning of the second power unit of the VVER-1200 reactor is a crucial step for Belarus’ energy security. As the country pursues its nuclear projects, it is essential to maintain strong cooperation and ensure that the highest safety standards are met.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Kuwait launches tender for 500 MW solar project
UK creates taskforce to strengthen energy resilience after Heathrow outage
Japan approves partial restart of Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant
Illinois clarifies county authority over solar siting
Frontera splits operations to unlock asset value in Colombia
Lightbridge launches irradiation testing of its fuel alloy in the United States
The Idaho National Laboratory has started irradiation testing on uranium-zirconium fuel samples from Lightbridge in its experimental reactor, marking a key step toward the industrial validation of advanced nuclear fuel.
NexGen begins final federal hearings for the Rook I nuclear project
NexGen Energy has opened Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission hearings for the final approval of its Rook I uranium project, following more than six years of regulatory process.
Oklo signs contract with Siemens Energy for Aurora’s power conversion system
Oklo has signed a binding agreement with Siemens Energy to accelerate manufacturing of the energy conversion system for its first advanced nuclear power plant in the United States.
New setback for TEPCO at Kashiwazaki-Kariwa 48h before crucial political green light
A security document handling incident at the nuclear power plant renews concerns about TEPCO as a key decision on restarting reactors 6 and 7 approaches in Niigata.
Washington seals civil nuclear deal with Riyadh amid political tensions
An initial civil nuclear cooperation agreement was signed between the United States and Saudi Arabia, prompting calls from the US Congress for strict safeguards to prevent a Middle East arms race.
CGN activates Zhaoyuan to bypass US restrictions and secure its Hualong One reactors
The launch of the Zhaoyuan nuclear project anchors the Hualong One model inland, illustrating Beijing’s strategy of regulatory normalisation in response to Western technological restrictions.
TRISO-X begins vertical construction on advanced nuclear fuel facility in Tennessee
TRISO-X has started above-ground works on the first U.S. facility dedicated to manufacturing fuel for small modular reactors, marking a key industrial milestone in the deployment of the Xe-100.
Russia delivers key test rig for ITER project progress
The first Russian test rig for the experimental ITER reactor has been delivered to the site in France, marking a major milestone in the international collaboration on nuclear fusion.
Allseas’ nuclear concept could inject EUR130bn into Dutch economy by 2050
A strategic report reveals the industrial and energy potential of Allseas’ offshore small modular reactor, which could create up to 40,000 jobs and reduce investment in the power grid.
Aecon partners with Norsk Kjernekraft to develop SMRs in Norway
Canadian firm Aecon and private developer Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a strategic agreement targeting the deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors across several potential locations in Norway.
South Africa restarts PBMR project with strategic transfer to Necsa
The South African government has officially lifted the PBMR reactor out of inactivity, launching a public investment programme and transferring the strategic nuclear asset from Eskom to Necsa.
France locks in €100bn nuclear programme under state control
The French Court of Auditors values EDF’s grand carénage at over €100bn, while EPR2 reactors already exceed €67–75bn. The State simultaneously directs regulation, financing, and industrial strategy, raising the risk of conflict of interest.
Belarus launches new public investment in a third nuclear reactor
Belarus commits major public investment to add a third reactor at the Ostrovets plant and initiates studies for a second nuclear site to support national energy demand.
Framatome completes second test cycle on next-generation nuclear fuel
Framatome’s accident-tolerant fuel prototype has completed a second 24-month cycle in a commercial nuclear reactor in the United States, paving the way for a third phase of industrial testing.
UK to install three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors at Wylfa nuclear site
The Wylfa site in Wales will host three Rolls-Royce small modular reactors from 2026, marking a strategic investment in the UK’s nuclear expansion.
Flamanville 3 reaches 80% power output ahead of extended 2026 shutdown
EDF confirmed that the Flamanville EPR has reached a major milestone, while planning a nearly year-long shutdown in 2026 for extensive regulatory inspections and key component replacement.
EDF expands access to nuclear contracts in response to regulatory changes
EDF is opening access to its long-term nuclear supply contracts to companies consuming more than 7 GWh per year, an adjustment driven by the gradual end of the Arenh mechanism.
South Korea extends operation of Kori 2 nuclear reactor until 2033
South Korean authorities have approved the continued operation of the Kori 2 reactor for an additional eight years, marking a key milestone in the national nuclear strategy.
Brazil launches BRL50mn microreactor project for 5 MW capacity
A public-private consortium is developing a 5 MW thermal microreactor designed to operate without refuelling for ten years, marking a strategic step in Brazil's nuclear innovation efforts.
Flamanville EPR reaches 80% output as EDF stays on schedule
EDF has announced that the Flamanville EPR reactor is now operating at 80% of its capacity. The target of reaching full output by the end of autumn remains confirmed by the utility.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

START - 99$/year

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.