Opinions & Interviews

Opinion: BelNPP gives Belarus opportunities for peaceful nuclear research

MOSCOW, 17 November (BelTA) - The opening of a nuclear power plant in Belarus provides new opportunities for the country to conduct nuclear research for peaceful purposes, State Secretary of the Belarus-Russia Union State Grigory Rapota said at an online press conference held as part of the expert-media forum “Information security of the Union State: modern challenges and new technologies” on 17 November, BelTA has learned.

“The opening of the nuclear power plant gives rise, if desired, to nuclear research both for the economy and social sector of Belarus,” Grigory Rapota said.

During the BelNPP opening various ideas were voiced regarding further cooperation in the nuclear sector both on the part of the Belarusian authorities and Rosatom, said the state secretary. “Their essence was as follows: there is no need to stop. A power generation center has been set up. Interesting R&D works can be run on its basis. The management of the Kurchatov Institute in Moscow also has such an initiative: its head is going to pay a visit [to Belarus] and see what can be done. This may include radiation medicine, any other activity related to the use of radioactive isotopes in agriculture, industry, healthcare and other industries,” he said.

Grigory Rapota added that the discussion on possible construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus is underway. “The BelNPP will cover 40% of the current energy consumption in Belarus. Two such power plants are almost 100% of Belarus' energy consumption, which means the country's independence from external energy sources,” he said.

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