Slovenske Elektrarne Plans to Increase Output of Mochovce Nuclear Reactors

Bratislava, 9 September (TASR) - The thermal output of the four reactors at the nuclear power plant in Mochovce (Nitra region) should be increased to 112 percent of their nominal capacity, according to a notification of a change in the proposed activity submitted by power utility Slovenske Elektrarne (SE) to the central environmental impact assessment (EIA) information system. The increase will be possible thanks to the use of design margins. As a first step, the power output of the third and fourth reactor units should be raised, as they are technically ready for the increase. The power output of the first and second reactor units will be increased at a later stage, following the replacement of certain components and pumps in the secondary circuit necessary for the proposed change in operating parameters. The first and second reactor units are already operating at 107 percent of their nominal capacity. The current installed thermal capacity of each reactor in the first and second units is 1,471 megawatts (MWt) of thermal power, while it is 1,375 MWt in the third and fourth units. If increased to 112 percent, the capacity of each of the four reactors will be 1,540 MWt. ko/df