Belarus uses all IAEA tools for newcomer countries

MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) – Belarus uses all the tools the International Atomic Energy Agency offers to newcomer countries. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement at a meeting of the Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission, which started working in Belarus on 24 February, BelTA has learned.

Viktor Karankevich went on saying: “Belarus fully uses all the instruments the IAEA offers to countries, which have started developing their nuclear energy industry. For many years we've been tightly cooperating with the IAEA on technical cooperation programs, implementing projects in the sphere of nuclear industry personnel training, the sphere of enhancing the potential of the operating organization, the handling of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel.”

The energy minister thanked the IAEA for assistance with organizing review missions, which allow taking timely measures to ensure safety during launch and consequent operation of the nuclear power plant.

“We've always viewed safety during the construction and operation of the facility as our top priority. For this purpose we actively explore opportunities of international cooperation and primarily cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency,” Viktor Karankevich stressed.

In his words, the construction of the nuclear power plant is one of the most important projects for Belarus with regard to the diversification of fuel and energy resources and the observance of ecological principles. The project's implementation will allow reducing the volume of consumption of imported natural gas.

The IAEA's Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission will be in Belarus on 24 February – 4 March. The IAEA experts will analyze the Belarusian nuclear energy industry infrastructure in all the 19 areas of the industry's development specified by the IAEA Milestones Document for emerging nuclear energy countries.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. Rosatom's engineering division – ASE Company – is the general contractor. The first unit is supposed to go online in 2020, with the second one scheduled for launch in 2021.