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Plant reaches milestone on course for commercial operation File photo of construction in the reactor hall at Mochovce-3. Courtesy Slovenske Elektrarne. The Mochovce-3 nuclear power unit in southwest Slovakia was on Wednesday (2 February) connected to the national grid and is supplying electricity to local consumers for the first time, utility Slovenske Elektrarne said.

Slovenske Elektrarne said the VVER-440 pressurised water reactor unit had reached 20% of its design output levels before being connected to the grid.

On 13 January, the company received regulatory approval to begin startup procedures for Mochove-3. Power levels would be gradually increased to 100% of the nominal reactor output with testing continuing at various stages of the process.

Mochovce-3 has an installed capacity of 471 MW and is expected to meet about 13% of Slovakia’s electricity consumption, Slovenske Elektrarne said.

A significant portion of the startup process lies ahead with testing to continue at various stages between 35% and 100% of nominal power levels.

Martin Mraz, director of the Mochovce nuclear power station, said the process will include planned short-term shutdowns of the reactor systems.

Mochnovce-3 achieved first criticality on 22 October 2022 after fuel loading a month earlier.

Earlier reports said the unit was expected to enter full commercial operation at the beginning of 2023.

Slovakia operates four commercial nuclear reactors – two at Mochovce and two at Bohunice – all of the Russia-designed VVER-440 type. Together the fleet generated about 52% of the country’s electricity in 2021.

Operation of the new Mochovce-3, Slovakia’s fifth unit, could bring the share of nuclear in the country’s electricity generation to 65%, putting it second behind only France, with 69%.

Date: Thursday, 02 February 2023
Original article: nucnet.org/news/mochovce-3-generates-first-power-after-successful-grid-connection-2-3-2023