Paks Nuclear Plant Restart: Key Updates
The restart of production at Unit 3 of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant has begun earlier than planned. Prime Minister Péter Magyar personally reported live from the turbine hall. The reason for the faster-than-expected restart is the combined result of intensive construction work and the rising water level of the Danube River.
The Prime Minister announced on his social media page that the restart of Unit 3 could begin soon. He also revealed he would personally participate in the restart of the block’s turbine number six. Our article has been updated with the latest information!
The Role of the Danube Water Level
As we reported, Defense Minister Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi also stated that the construction of the riverbed sill in the Danube is progressing faster than planned. The water level is rising, the Defense Minister wrote in a rapid report posted on his Facebook page on Saturday from Dunaszentbenedek. Ruszin-Szendi Romulusz communicated that all water had been pumped out of the barges and their sinking had been completed. The minister reminded that the riverbed sill is also being continuously built on the left bank of the Danube. He added that on the left bank of the river work has been completed over 231 meters thus reaching the previously dropped concrete blocks.
Live from the Turbine Hall
The Prime Minister reported live from the turbine hall of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant where due to the continuously rising water level of the Danube the reconnection of turbine number six of Unit 3 will soon begin. According to Péter Magyar’s report the process did not start now but roughly two days ago; however, we have arrived at the final three hours. Péter Magyar is accompanied by Károly Vigh the plant’s operational director who describes the exact procedure for starting the turbine. Vigh revealed to the viewers that his colleagues have already arrived and are preparing to start the turbine. „Right now this turbine is practically already spinning at a speed of 3-4 revolutions per minute” the specialist highlighted. The turbines can only be loaded gradually and at this time the specialists perform a final check. If they find everything in order in roughly three hours they can switch over the generator and electricity production can begin. Naturally gradualness is important here as well so they will continuously increase production until reaching 740 megawatts. Vigh also said that continuously at a minimum 25 people worked on it in every shift to get the plant ready for startup. „In addition there was significant reinforcement from the morning shift colleagues as well. Temporarily an additional 10-20 personnel were involved in preparing this block” the specialist emphasized. In his broadcast Péter Magyar stressed that the intensive work government decisions the riverbed sill and the weather all contributed to the Danube’s water level rising faster than expected. At the same time the Prime Minister indicated that he will be staying overnight in Paks tonight. Tomorrow they will hold a press briefing and a tour at 9:30 AM where they will also visit the construction of the riverbed sill. By Wednesday the nuclear power plant is expected to reach its full nominal capacity.
How the Power Plant Works
The specialist and the Prime Minister toured the turbines during the startup process also reporting on how exactly the power plant operates. In this context Vigh explained that essentially a nuclear power plant does not differ from any thermal power plant in terms of supplementary equipment. Naturally it uses nuclear energy to produce heat but the turbines and supplementary equipment are essentially the same.
- Intensive construction work
- Rising water level of the Danube
- Reconnection of turbine number six
- Continuous monitoring
- Gradual increase to 740 megawatts
- Involvement of additional personnel
Production Timeline
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| Start of Restart Process | Two days ago |
| Final Checks | In three hours |
| Expected Full Capacity | Wednesday |
In the coming hours they will continuously monitor whether the turbine is operating as intended and in about an hour and a half they will begin production with turbine number six. The Prime Minister indicated that this was all for the live reconnection for now but they may report again later when they start increasing the production level at the plant.
