Based on the requirements of the so-called stress test – also known as the Targeted Safety Re-assessment – which has been carried out in European nuclear power plants for a decade, numerous safety improvements have already been made at the Paks Nuclear Power Plant, but in recent days the process has reached another milestone: on September 20, the first diesel generator that is suitable for accident function was installed.

The protection system of the nuclear power plant has already had 12 operational diesel generators, and with this project an additional safety system will be implemented, which in the event of an accident can ensure the supply of electric consumers included in the dedicated consumer list up to the performance threshold of the diesel machines (stored inside the building, the diesel fuel stock enables operation at nominal load for at least 168 hours).

Since the main equipment of the project, the C3500 D5e earthquake-resistant diesel engine unit manufactured by Cummins, is a really heavy "individual" (30 tons to be exact), its lifting and hauling into the engine house, but the prior design work, permits, production-procurement and arcitectural tasks also required a high degree of expertise, precision, and last but not least, thorough local knowledge: all this was provided for the nuclear power plant by MVM ERBE Ltd, the main contractor of the project.

The work will of course continue: the project is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Photos: MVM Paks Nuclear Power Plant Ltd