Belarus looks forward to WANO peer review in 2025

MINSK, 20 September (BelTA) – A peer review by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) is expected in Belarus in 2025, BelTA learned from the answers to the questions submitted during the public hearings held prior to granting the license to operate the second unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. This information has been published on the website of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor).

According to the source, in view of commitments of the state enterprise Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant as a nuclear power plant operator the enterprise intends to host a peer review by WANO in 2025. Preparations are scheduled for 2024 already.

Apart from that, the Belarusian nuclear power plant intends to join the International Atomic Energy Agency's global cycle of Operational Safety Review Team (OSART) missions to nuclear power plants. With this in mind Belarus intends to invite such a mission in the near future. No specific schedule is available yet. Preparations are underway.

OSART missions are aimed at enhancing the operational safety of nuclear installations by means of providing an objective evaluation of their operation on the basis of IAEA safety standards and by making recommendations for implementing improvements if necessary.