Belarus's largest substation in Postavy will be energized in May
"The construction of the largest 330 kV substation in Belarus in Postavy is on schedule. Currently, the equipment - mainly Chinese or licensed European - has been fully installed, with only minor touches remaining. Cable lines have been laid and commissioning works have actively begun. According to specialists' estimates, the substation should be energized as early as May this year. In the future, the possibility of supplying electricity to the Baltic countries through it is being considered - taking into account the decommissioning of the Ignalina NPP. It was for these reasons that the construction site in Postavy was chosen," explained Yuri Mitkovets.
In addition to functioning as one of the key power distribution facilities of the NPP, the substation in Postavy has another notable feature. A built-in electric boiler will serve as the heating source for the buildings. No emissions into the atmosphere will be produced from stationary sources during the substation's operation.
The 330 kV "Postavy" substation is being constructed according to the project "Scheme for Power Output to the Belarusian Power System from the under-construction Belarusian NPP" and is one of 23 commissioning complexes. Some of them have already been commissioned, and the completion of all works is planned for December 2018. The project is being implemented in three regions: Vitebsk, Minsk, and Grodno. RUP "Grodnoenergo" is the customer, and the Chinese company NCPE is the general contractor. A large number of Belarusian organizations are involved in the subcontracting. A total of over 400 workers are employed in the construction, including more than 120 from China. The investment project will cost $340.9 million, of which 95% is a preferential loan from the Export-Import Bank of China. The implementation of the project will help ensure the output and distribution of power from the Belarusian NPP after it is put into operation.