Adequate radiation monitoring to be in place by BelNPP’s launch

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus will ensure the adequate radiation monitoring by the time the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) is commissioned, First Deputy Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Iya Malkina told reporters on 5 February, BelTA has learned.

“Now we are working on the radiation monitoring system for the area surrounding the nuclear power plant. By the time the NPP becomes operational, we will be able to ensure the adequate level of radiation control at the NPP in accordance with all the safety requirements,” she noted.

According to her, a number of facilities needed to ensure the adequate radiation monitoring, have already been partially installed. “We are collaborating successfully with research centers. Besides, we constantly keep in touch with other nuclear safety watchdogs working at the BelNPP,” Iya Malkina noted.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built 18km away from the town of Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The BelNPP will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW (2x1,200MW). The Russian merged company OAO NIAEP – ZAO ASE is the general designer and the general contractor of the project. The first power-generating unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in 2018, the second one in 2020.