Belarus to share nuclear energy industry regulation experience at forum in Sochi

SOCHI, 21 November (BelTA) – Belarus will share its experience of regulating nuclear energy industry at the international forum Atomexpo in Sochi, BelTA learned from Head of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) Olga Lugovskaya on the sidelines of the forum on 21 November.

Olga Lugovskaya said that a large Belarusian delegation had arrived to participate in the forum. The delegation includes representatives of Gosatomnadzor organizations and scientific and technical support organizations. “It would be very interesting to share the best practices with colleagues from the Russian Federation and other countries. We will participate in two roundtable sessions. One of them will be related to the licensing process. We have something to share with colleagues since the first nuclear power plant is already operational. We've gone through all the steps of the license granting process, there are some accomplishments, everything is stipulated by legislation. We will explain how the legislation of the Russian Federation has been adapted as the country that supplies technologies to Belarus. Russia is a country with huge traditions in the area of nuclear energy industry. Rosatom is a cutting-edge organization. But we are beginners but with some experience that we are ready to share with others,” she said.

Continued development of infrastructure related to nuclear technologies, in the area of management of nuclear waste is an important matter. “The second roundtable session we are going to participate in focuses on nuclear legacy installations. We would like to hear what approaches and new technologies are offered in this sphere. We will also present our strategy for managing radioactive waste. It has not been adopted in Belarus but it has already gone through public hearings. By the way, such technologies can also be points of economic growth,” the official noted.

In her words, venues like Atomexpo give an opportunity to talk to colleagues from various countries and organizations that use nuclear technologies and sources of ionizing radiation. “It is interesting to discuss some scientific matters, too. All the Gosatomnadzor decisions are made using scientific approaches and after expert evaluations,” Olga Lugovskaya concluded.