“During the pilot operation, the protection system of Unit 1 is turned on, systems and equipment are inspected. Background radiation around the power plant is normal,” the ministry said.
The facility near Astravjec in the north of the country was inaugurated last November by President Alexander Lukashenko, then had to be closed shortly thereafter and finally restarted almost two weeks later. According to the ministry, the power plant is operating at 40 percent of its nominal capacity.
Belarus has chosen the Russian 3+ generation block type for its first nuclear power plant, built by the Russian company Roszatom. Its two VVER-1200 units have a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts. Russia has loaned 10 billion euros for investment.
Neighboring Lithuania, whose capital, the power plant, is only 50 kilometers away, vehemently opposed the construction of the nuclear power plant. The Baltic state does not consider the Belarusian power plant to be safe at all.
President Lukashenko previously said that they were considering building a second nuclear power plant and suggested that the excess power be used for bitcoin mining.
Cover image: Getty Images
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