Opinion: BelNPP project plays a important role in Belarusian-Russian cooperation

MINSK, 17 April (BelTA) – The BelNPP is the safest nuclear power plant project today, Stanislav Levitsky, director of Rosatom's country office in Belarus, said in an interview with BelTA.

According to him, Russia has created a new generation of reactors for nuclear power plants. They are characterized by an increased level of safety and protection from external influences. "Rosatom State Corporation has accumulated unique experience in the development of nuclear technologies. Today, Rosatom's foreign portfolio includes 34 units at different stages of implementation. The project to build a modern nuclear power plant using the Russian 3+ generation design AES-2006 near Ostrovets plays a particularly important role in the Belarusian-Russian cooperation. This is the safest project of a nuclear power plant to date. It fully complies with all modern requirements, international standards and recommendations of the IAEA,” Stanislav Levitsky noted.

Thanks to the joint well-coordinated work of Russian and Belarusian specialists, the project is progressing well. The BelNPP project has not only obvious economic and environmental advantages. It also opens up new opportunities in nuclear and radiation technologies, in the use of advanced technical solutions in various sectors of the Belarusian economy, including energy and industry. "As for further projects, along with traditional energy projects, Rosatom's product portfolio comprises more than 80 existing and future-oriented high-technology products and services. For most of them, we are in close contact with our Belarusian partners and are ready to share our competencies in the interests of advancing the integration of our countries,” he said.

He named the partnership in electric transport as a successful example of Belarusian-Russian cooperation. At the recent meeting between the Energy Ministry of Belarus and the Russian side, the parties reviewed the prospects for the supply of stationary energy storage systems for enterprises in the manufacturing sector and the energy system of Belarus. Following the talks, the parties decided to prepare a joint roadmap for the concept of using energy storage systems in Belarus. The project provides for the localization of the production of energy storage systems in Belarus and also the possibility of using the mechanisms of the Union State programs.

A reminder, the Belarusian nuclear power plant with two VVER-1200 reactors with a total capacity of 2,400MW is being built in Ostrovets. For its first nuclear power plant Belarus chose a Russian 3+ generation project, which fully complies with international standards and safety requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency. The first unit of the Belarusian NPP was put into commercial operation on 10 June 2021. The second unit is 98% ready. Its commissioning is scheduled for the autumn of 2023.