News & Events in Belarus
Lukashenko discusses potential second nuclear power plant for Belarus
MINSK, 14 November (BelTA) - Should Belarus build another nuclear power plant, or should it simply expand the existing one in Ostrovets? This was the central issue raised at a meeting hosted by head of state Aleksandr Lukashenko on 14 November to review the performance of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP), the growing electricity demand, and proposals for new nuclear capacity, BelTA has learned.
According to the president, the government has been instructed to work on the issue of building a second NPP or an additional third power unit at the existing plant. In this regard, he suggested discussing the significant features, advantages, and disadvantages of these options.
“We discussed our cooperation in nuclear energy with Russian President Vladimir Putin during our meeting at the World Atomic Week in late September 2025. There is understanding and support from the Russian side; the ball is now in our court. We must first of all decide whether we do it or not. If we do, then we need to decide when and where,” the head of state said. “Nuclear power is a miracle for Belarus.”
The first option is the construction of a new power unit at the Ostrovets site as the second stage of the BelNPP. All the necessary conditions and specialists are available there: an appropriate site, production, technological, and social infrastructure. This means there is an opportunity to build it at a lower cost. “The ground conditions there have already been thoroughly studied. There is no need for any additional surveys,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The second option is the construction of a new plant in the country's east, where the ground conditions permit. A suitable site there was already considered when the decision was made to build the currently operating nuclear plant. Building from the ground up at a new location will require greater financial investment and organizational effort, but it would provide a powerful impetus for the development of the eastern region. “We would likewise transform the eastern region from a backwater into a highly developed territory of Belarus. This means new jobs, investment, innovative projects, and new technologies,” the president said.
The outcome of the discussion is a decision to develop the Ostrovets nuclear power plant by implementing its second stage - the construction of a third power unit. However, this does not mean the idea of building another separate NPP in Belarus has been abandoned in principle. Parallel to the construction of the third unit at the BelNPP, work will be organized to survey potential sites in Mogilev Oblast. Subsequently, should electricity consumption increase, a decision could be made to create additional nuclear capacity there. This was announced to journalists by Vice Premier Viktor Karankevich following the meeting.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, the head of state recalled that Ostrovets, where the nuclear power plant was built, has gained a status as a modern and promising city. Its population has nearly doubled - from 8,000 to 15,000 people. The plant employs about 3,000 specialists, 30% of whom are youth under the age of 32, with the average age of the workforce being 38. “Graduates from energy faculties dream of getting a job there. It’s a wonderful city. There’s no need to persuade anyone. People are moving there for jobs in all kinds of specialties. In terms of amenities, engineering infrastructure, and income levels - where it ranks in the top three among all regions - we consider Ostrovets the gold standard for developing district centers,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
The nuclear power plant is a crucial driver of regional development for decades to come, the president noted. He suggested that this factor be specially taken into account in the context of the current conversation.
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