On Saturday, 9 July 2022 at 10:56 a.m. Slovenské elektrarne completed the second scheduled general overhaul of this year at Bohunice V2 Nuclear Power Plant by connecting the first turbine to the power grid, during which 73 fuel cartridges in the reactor and 18 392 tubes in the main condensers of both turbines were replaced.

The unit is shut down once a year after just over 300 days of effective operation. The start date is set by calculations by nuclear physicists who determine how many and which fuel assemblies are to be replaced. In addition to fuel replacement, projects such as overhaul of the steam generator, main coolant pump and feed water pumps were carried out during this outage. They also performed heterogeneous weld modifications on the feedwater, diesel generator oil cooler, cooling tower pool cleaning and inspection, and main condenser tubes replacement.

Prior to the actual start-up of the reactor the prescribed pressure tests of the primary circuit and steam generators were performed. Following successful physical start-up tests and the phasing of both turbines, the power output of the reactor and turbines was increased to nominal power.

"Our goal is safe and reliable operation throughout the next campaign."

Patrik Kašo, Director of Bohunice V2 Nuclear Power Plant

Slovenske elektrarne are facing one more general overhaul this year at Mochovce on reactor Unit 2.