The newly built Mochovce nuclear power plant, the country’s third, will have to delay electricity production due to a technical fault that could cause financial hardship for the plant’s owner.
Technicians identified a minor leak during stress tests a few days after the minimum controlled output was reached. The reactor was already undergoing a fission chain reaction, although the reactor power was very close to zero.
“During the re-pressurisation test, a minor leak was identified on the upper reactor block. After analysing the situation, we decided to reseal this part of the technology,” Oľga Baková, spokeswoman for plant operator Slovenske elektrárne a.s. told TV Markíza.
“Next week we are continuing the unit start-up and physical start-up tests. The first phasing and connection to the grid are scheduled for about mid-January,” she added.
Repairs, however, will delay electricity production in Unit 3 by at least a few weeks, perhaps even months. This could cause financial problems for Slovenské elektrárne, which is partly owned by Italian energy giant Enel and EPH of Czech billionaire Daniel Křetinský.
With the completion of the third unit, Slovakia will become a net exporter of electricity, with even more exports expected once the plant’s fourth unit is completed in 2024.
(Michal Hudec | EURACTIV.sk)
Source: euractiv.com
