Business news

22 Dec 2025

Third unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant expected to enhance Belarus’ energy self-sufficiency

MINSK, 22 December (BelTA) – The construction of the third unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) will further enhance Belarus’ energy self-sufficiency. Igor Sergeyenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, made the statement ahead of an offsite session of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament, BelTA has learned.

The purpose of the offsite session of the Council of the House of Representatives is to once again see how legislation in the field of nuclear energy and energy as a whole is implemented in practice.

Igor Sergeyenko explained: “The House of Representatives together with the Energy Ministry pays the closest attention to these matters. Over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025, three laws directly related to nuclear energy industry were adopted, including amendments to the law on energy conservation. Literally this year we’ve ratified an agreement with the Russian Federation on the creation of a common electricity market of the Union State [of Belarus and Russia]. That is why we’ve decided to hold this meeting here, at the Belarusian nuclear power plant.”

In his words, the session is being held at the Belarusian nuclear power plant, first of all, to take into account the goals of expanding nuclear energy, in particular, the construction of the third unit, and secondly, to examine in person and with participation of the Energy Ministry leadership which aspects of the regulatory framework may require adjustment or further refinement.

By the way, the date was not chosen at random: 22 December is Power Engineer’s Day. “Our parliamentary group, including members of the Council and representatives of Grodno Oblast, has come to the plant to personally congratulate the staff of this leading enterprise of the energy industry on their professional holiday,” he emphasized.

Igor Sergeyenko added that today the Belarusian nuclear power plant generates 40% of the country’s total electricity output. He emphasized that the construction of the new unit will undoubtedly further strengthen the country’s energy self-sufficiency. “Considering the growing needs of the manufacturing sector, the economy as a whole, and the population, the matter of heating private homes and individual structures arises increasingly often. And we more and more often accomplish it through electricity. Therefore, the demand for additional generating capacity is certainly high and will only grow,” he noted.

At the same time, the reliability and safe operation of the nuclear power plant remain the key matters. “Today, after visiting the Belarusian nuclear power plant we were convinced: everything here operates smoothly, systematically and in an integrated manner,” Igor Sergeyenko said.

Special attention is being paid to personnel training both at universities and in secondary vocational education institutions. A team of national specialists is already being formed. They are fully prepared to ensure the stable and safe operation of the plant, the chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus added.

He pointed out that today Rosatom is Belarus’s key partner in the energy sector. “The nuclear power plant was built in cooperation with Rosatom and we continue close collaboration with it, and it is with Rosatom that we plan to implement the new project for building the third unit. It will likely take at least 5–10 years. But we already have something to rely on: the experience of our engineers, construction workers, and operating personnel. Moreover, the implementation of the project will create an additional number of about 1,000 jobs with decent wages and good social conditions,” said Igor Sergeyenko.

Apart from that, members of the parliament also saw Ostrovets — how the town has transformed thanks to the nuclear power plant. “One could say that the town has literally been infused with new life. The central district hospital we’ve visited is of such high quality that even a republican clinic would envy it. And all of it is part of the social infrastructure created around the nuclear power plant,” Igor Sergeyenko remarked.

Sergei Bobovich, Director General of the state enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, told members of the parliament that since the beginning of 2025 the plant has generated 1 billion kWh more electricity than during the same period of last year. The MPs were also given a visual demonstration of where the third unit is planned to be built and how this will affect the operation of the Belarusian power grid.

Speaking about Ostrovets, Nadezhda Khaltsova, a member of the Budget and Finance Commission of the House of Representatives, noted that the town makes a very pleasant impression. “It is cozy, developing, and young. It is truly exemplary. It seems to me that it fully embodies the Strong Regions principle that the president has spoken about,” she said. “When we were just arriving, one thing immediately stood out: benches line the streets. It is a small detail, yet so important for the feeling of care and comfort.”

In her words, the Belarusian nuclear power plant is of fundamental importance both for the country as a whole and especially for Grodno Oblast. “Thanks to the nuclear power plant the town has received a strong impetus for development and, certainly, social infrastructure is actively growing. Construction workers came here and many of them stayed to live in the town even after the main work was finished. Highly qualified specialists have arrived. Moreover, they are our own, Belarusian specialists, well-trained and competent ones. We know that our universities are getting actively involved in personnel training and it causes genuine joy, too,” she pointed out.

Nadezhda Khaltsova emphasized that the town’s infrastructure is truly top-notch. “The town has an absolutely new school that meets all modern requirements, a kindergarten, and numerous shops. Honestly speaking, if you examine it critically, there’s nothing to complain about. It’s a modern, clean, well-developed town. One can feel that passionate people work here, including executives and residents themselves. After all, such cleanliness and order need to be constantly maintained,” she noted.



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