Belarus’ openness about nuclear energy praised

Belarus demonstrates openness in matters concerning the development of nuclear energy. The statement was made by Ambassador of Ukraine to Belarus Mikhail Yezhel as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Belarus from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Poland, Ukraine, and Switzerland visited the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant on 27 May, BelTA has learned.

“It is the first time I have been to such a large construction project and I am impressed by the standards,” said the Ambassador.

“The mankind has accumulated extensive experience of using nuclear energy,” said the diplomat. “Unfortunately, at times things happened that demonstrated that the matter needs to be thoroughly studied”. The Ambassador added that maximum safety is ensured during the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “I can feel that you care for safety above all. If safety is ensured, it doesn’t matter if the power plant loses a bit of output capacity,” he stressed. Mikhail Yezhel remarked that there are nuclear power plants in Ukraine, too. “I would like our countries to cooperate,” he said.

According to Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk, close attention is paid to efforts to raise the awareness of the general public in Belarus and abroad about the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. Meetings are organized, contacts with mass media have been established. A public information center has been working in Ostrovets since 2010. “Over 7,000 people have already visited it, including a lot of kids and young people. We hope that the younger generation will deliver true information to the senior generation and will influence the latter’s views,” added the Deputy Energy Minister.

In his words, the center constantly offers educational programs about nuclear energy, the nature of radiation and radioactivity, innovative nuclear technologies. Thanks to such centers the population can learn reliable and full information about nuclear energy and radiation technologies. Plans have been made to set up a similar center in Minsk, said the official.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant will boast two power-generating units with the total generating capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian merged company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport (ASE) is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-generating unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.