Events

MINSK, 20 December (BelTA) – The first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be commissioned by the end of 2019. Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko made the statement during the joint session of the two chambers of the Belarusian parliament on 20 December, BelTA has learned.

Vladimir Semashko said: “I can state that we should commission the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant by late 2019. We are on schedule. We should commission the second unit in 2020.”

Vladimir Semashko went on saying that the launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will change the power budget. Belarus’ dependence on natural gas import will be a thing of the past. “The commissioning of the nuclear power plant will free about 5.5 billion m3 of natural gas,” said the deputy prime minister.

“Financial aspects [of construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant] are taken care of. We’ve opened a $10 billion credit line from the Russian Federation on terms, which are rather advantageous for Belarus. The sum will cover 90% of the cost of construction and installation work and equipment, which the nuclear power plant still needs. We are borrowing another 10% from another source,” noted Vladimir Semashko.

The official reminded that Belarus intends to stop importing electricity soon. “Moreover, we are in negotiations on exporting electricity,” he summed up.