Construction of Belarusian nuclear power plant on schedule

The construction of both power-generating units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant proceeds on schedule. Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk made the statement in his speech during the plenary session of the 59th session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on 15 September, BelTA has learned.

The official said that contracts on manufacturing equipment that needs a long time to make had been signed. “We plan to get down to installing the nuclear reactor, the turbine and steam generators of the first power-generating unit in 2016,” said Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

Close attention is paid in Belarus to training qualified personnel to man the future nuclear power plant because qualified specialists represent the most important component in the power plant’s safe operation. Belarusian specialists have been trained at nuclear power plants in Russia since 2014. Apart from that, the training and education center of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be commissioned by the end of the year.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk said that Belarus proceeds with the project to build the nuclear power plant taking into account the IAEA’s Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power. “We welcome the publishing of the renewed milestones by the agency. The new document takes into account nearly ten years of practical experience of the member states and the IAEA secretariat. This document represents a good aid for the countries, which are about to start their own nuclear energy programs. The document allows organizing smooth planning and coordination of the work along all the necessary avenues,” noted Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

The official stressed that further enhancement of the regulating body is emphasized at present. Thus, the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) vigorously cooperates with colleagues from Russia, several European Union states, the European Union, and the Regulatory Cooperation Forum (RCF). “Active international cooperation of the Belarusian regulator contributes to learning cutting-edge practices and increasing the qualifications of Gosatomnadzor specialists. It is also a testimony of Belarus’ openness during the implementation of the national nuclear energy program,” believes the Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk emphasized full-scale interaction between Belarus and the IAEA in ensuring nuclear and radiation security. Belarus actively uses the instruments and mechanisms provided by the agency. The Belarusian regulating body is preparing for an IAEA mission that will assess the nuclear energy industry regulatory infrastructure in early 2016. Belarus also receives considerable assistance within the framework of the IAEA’s technical cooperation program.

In his speech Mikhail Mikhadyuk also backed efforts of the International Atomic Energy Agency to bolster the physical nuclear safety in the global context. “We pay priority attention to practical ways to ensure the physical nuclear safety and the physical protection of nuclear materials at the national level. The efforts are particularly important in view of the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant,” he said.

In 2015 Belarus intends to work together with the IAEA Secretariat to renew the integrated plan, which is designed to support physical nuclear safety in the country. The renewed plan will focus on ensuring physical protection of the future nuclear power plant and on training highly qualified professionals for the purpose. Apart from that, IAEA experts are expected to visit Belarus in October 2015 to assess the country’s potential for detecting and responding to the illegal transportation of nuclear and radioactive materials across the national border.