Mochovce 4 passes safety system tests
Slovenské elektrárne says that the Mochovce 4 nuclear unit has passed tests of its active and passive emergency safety systems.
Slovakia's nuclear power operator said the passive safety systems tests were designed to verfiy that the water coolant, in the event of a pressure drop in the reactor, would flow into the reactor vessel " in the right way, at the right time and in the right volume".
Martin Mráz, director of completion and commissioning of the Mochoviec 3 and 4 systems, said: "Tests have confirmed that the emergency systems of Block 4 are functional and will ensure safety in the event of an emergency."
Construction of the first two VVER-440 units at the four-unit Mochovce plant started in 1982. Work began on units 3 and 4 in 1986, but stalled in 1992. The first two reactors were completed and came into operation in 1998 and 1999, respectively, with a project to complete units 3 and 4 beginning ten years later.
Mochovce 3 entered commercial operation in October 2023 and unit 4's schedule has been to follow about one or two years behind unit 3. Each of the units will be able to provide 13% of Slovakia's electricity needs when operating at full capacity.
