Unit 4 of Russia's Beloyarsk Nuclear Power Plant with a BN-800 reactor completed all tests under its first power program Feb. 9.
The integral tests were successfully completed for the reactor unit operation at 50 percent power during 72 hours. Test results confirmed all design criteria of the unit operation, and the reactor unit continues operating at this power level.
Rostechnadzor is expected to grant a permit soon for the start of a new power build-up stage, which is the pilot commercial operation. At that time, power will be gradually raised up to 100 percent of the rated value. Then, the reactor unit will be commissioned for the commercial operation.
In 2016, the new reactor unit with a BN-800 reactor is planned to produce around 3,500 million kilowatt hours of electricity.