MINSK, 26 July (BelTA) – An off-nominal situation occurred during rigging operations at the site where a reactor vessel of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was stored, the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry told BelTA.
A number of Internet sources released news stating that “a reactor was dropped during its installation into the reactor compartment at the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on 10 July 2016”. “De facto according to the general contractor Atomstroyexport, an off-nominal situation took place at the site where the reactor vessel was stored as the reactor vessel was being rigged and moved in a horizontal plane,” said representatives of the Belarusian Energy Ministry.
The state enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, which is the customer of the project, immediately requested all the necessary documents and information from the general contractor. The situation is still being analyzed. “After Belarusian specialists have thoroughly studied the information provided by Atomstroyexport the relevant decision will be made. The Belarusian side will primarily take into account the need to ensure the unconditional safety of the future nuclear power plant,” stressed the source.
Earlier the ASE group of companies, which is the general contractor in the project for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant, stated that “Internet reports about an alleged accident, which has damaged the reactor vessel, fly in the face of reality”.
Speaking about the substance of the issue, Atomstroyexport representatives said that the reactor vessel is outside the reactor compartment. There are no technical obstacles that impede the reactor vessel's installation into its intended position. The general contractor is waiting for the oversight agencies to give a go-ahead to installation operations.
