ENSREG experts to review action plan based on Belarusian nuclear power plant stress tests

MINSK, 3 August (BelTA) – Experts of the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) will carry out a peer review of the national action plan compiled in the wake of stress tests of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) discussed preparations for the work with representatives of the European Commission and the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group via a videoconference, BelTA has learned.

The sides discussed administrative matters concerning the organization of and the actual peer review. A team of ENSREG experts led by Petteri Tiippana, Director General of the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) will study the national action plan. The sides discussed the formulation of questions about the national action plan, Belarusian responses to the questions, technical consultations of European experts with Belarusian colleagues, a visit of ENSREG experts to Belarus, a trip to the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, and the compilation of the resulting report.

Stress tests of the Belarusian nuclear power plant were carried out in 2016. The ability of the Belarusian nuclear power plant to withstand extreme unfavorable natural phenomena and their combinations (earthquakes, tsunami, floods, and the rest) was evaluated after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant in Japan.

ENSREG performed a peer review of results of the stress tests of the Belarusian nuclear power plant in 2017-2018. No safety deficiencies (failures to meet requirements of Belarusian legislation based on IAEA safety standards) were found. ENSREG experts put forth a number of recommendations on safety margins above the limits specified by legislation and the safety standards. A national action plan was put together in 2019 in response to results of the stress tests of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.