Opinions & Interviews

Compliance of Belarusian nuclear power plant with modern safety requirements emphasized

MOSCOW, 2 October (BelTA) – The nuclear power plant being built in Belarus is compliant with all the modern safety requirements, BelTA learned from Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich during the international forum Russian Energy Week in Moscow on 2 October.

The official noted that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Belarus began in May 2012 but a lot of groundwork was done before that in 2008-2012. “Regulatory agencies were set up and the legislation based on IAEA documents was worked out,” Viktor Karankevich reminded. “The site for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant had to be chosen and prepared. A pre-investment feasibility study had to be done, including the evaluation of the environmental impact of the nuclear power plant. The necessary licenses had to be issued.”

After analyzing all the aspects Belarus chose the Russian Generation III+ nuclear power plant design AES-2006 as the most fitting option for the country. “The design meets modern safety requirements and requirements of the IAEA and the European Union,” Viktor Karankevich noted.

Belarus has maintained tight cooperation with the IAEA since 2008. “Various technical cooperation projects have been implemented since the construction of the nuclear power plant began. The country welcomed seven various IAEA expert missions. The safety of the nuclear power plant is the utmost priority for Belarus. According to international experts, the Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built taking into account all the requirements and recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency,” the energy minister said.

Energy security matters are of great importance for any country. “The main goals Belarus has embraced in this sphere include energy independence, diversification of suppliers and types of energy resources, effective manufacturing and use of fuel and energy resources, and the reduction of the environmental footprint,” the official said.

“The Belarusian nuclear power plant will allow generating roughly one third of the amount of electricity the country needs. It will allow greatly reducing the consumption of carbon fuel while having a positive effect thanks to lower greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere,” Viktor Karankevich stressed.

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