Slovenské elektrárne completed the hot hydrotest and entered the last phase of testing prior to commissioning Unit 3 at Mochovce NPP.
Slovenské elektrárne completed all works on the hot hydrotest and started the major inspection, which is the last phase of non-active tests before the commissioning of unit 3 at the Mochovce nuclear power plant. During this inspection, the biggest power generating company in Slovakia will carry out the prescribed pre-operational inspections of all important systems and equipment. The major inspection is a prerequisite for initiating the physical and energy start-up.
After the hot hydrotest, the company successfully performed also an integrated test of the strength and tightness of the Unit 3 hermetic zone. It is one of the most important tests in the preparation for commissioning during which the hermetic zone was pressurised to 150 kilopascals (the underwater pressure in 15 metre depth) and the strength of the walls and ceilings at the limit of the hermetic zone was measured, as well as its resistance to leakages. The hermetic zone consists of reinforced concrete structure of the primary circuit building with 1.5 metre thick walls.
“The hermetic zone tightness test results achieved are two times better than the limits set by the nuclear regulatory authority of the Slovak Republic and are the best of all VVER-type units operated to date. They have demonstrated the high strength and tightness of the hermetic zone and definitively refuted the misleading and false claims of Austrian anti-nuclear activists.”
Juraj Krasňanský
head of commissioning
The hot hydrotest had five sub-stages that included the pressure and tightness tests on the primary circuit and reactor at nominal operating parameters, at temperature of 265°C and pressure from 0.5 to 19.12 megapascals (MPa), e.g. one and a half times the pressure reached in an operating unit. Slovenské elektrárne also carried out functional tests of the primary and secondary circuit equipment, tests of safety systems, ventilation, electrical components, control and management systems, as well as other systems. The company also examined systems and measures resulting from stress tests, and compared all the data obtained with data in the design and related equipment documentation.
Slovenské elektrárne fulfilled the hot hydrotest in full scope. It did all the defined tests and passed successfully. Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NRA) monitored the whole course of the hot hydrotest. The NRA noted the preliminary evaluation of the hot hydrotest and will issue its final opinion after assessing the required analyses and in the concluding evaluation of the test programme verified by the scientific management of commissioning. The hot hydrotest lasted a month and a half longer than scheduled, mainly due to an unplanned false activation of the fire extinguishing system.
“The hot hydrotest proved that individual systems of the unit work together as designed and after completing the major inspection, the unit will be ready to move to the stage of active tests with fuel.”
Juraj Krasňanský
Revised schedule
The later than planned completion of hot hydrotest and the delay in the construction works resulted in the need to re-schedule the commissioning. Several works proved to be substantially more time-consuming, while in April 2018 cooperation with the building company was terminated. Slovenské elektrárne expects that unit three will be technically prepared for fuel loading during the course of summer 2019.
Before the Nuclear Regulatory Authority issues the relevant licences, other state administration authorities, such as the Public Health Authority, the Labour Inspectorate, and the Firefighting & Rescue Corps, will also have to issue opinions, which is a time-demanding process. The exact date of commissioning will depend on the licensing process, the proceeding of which will be significantly affected by the anticipated obstructions of involved parties, in particular Austrian anti-nuclear organisations. As much as 8 months may pass from the time of technical readiness for fuel loading up to the actual date of fuel loading.
The delay will also impact the total budget for the completion of Units 3 and 4, in an estimated cost of €270 million, representing a 5% increase in total costs. This budget increase will be fully covered by the majority shareholder of Slovenské elektrárne, namely Slovak Power Holding B.V.
“We have reached the last phase prior to commissioning of Unit 3. We achieved several results, such as the strength and tightness of the hermetic zone that we can be rightfully proud of. On the other hand, the delay is, of course, disappointing. With the team responsible for final completion of the power plant we are looking at all options for managing the remaining processes as quickly as possible. We will not load fuel until we have all the necessary permits, even if the structure was technically ready. We respect the fact that the Slovak Republic is a EU member and has international treaties, in consequence of which we are in a completely different situation when compared to the commissioning of Mochovce units 1 and 2. We must be prepared for the fact that several licensing processes will take significantly longer. In the worst case we will have to wait for the necessary licensing for fuel loading for up to another 8 months from the moment when the unit will be ready, from the technical aspect, for fuel loading. During this time, we will have to keep hundreds of highly qualified people and our contractors on site. We have no other option.”
Branislav Strýček
Chairman and CEO of Slovenské elektrárne
More than 3,500 employees and contractors work on site, of whom two thirds on unit 3 and the remainder on unit 4. Unit 3 is completed at 98.8% and unit 4 at 84.6%.
“The good news is that the current electricity market price shows that Slovenské elektrárne, after commissioning of both units, will achieve excellent economic results, will repay loans and pay dividends to shareholders.”
Branislav Strýček
Source: Slovenské elektrárneNews
