Belarusian expert explains growing worldwide interest in nuclear energy development

MINSK, 28 December (BelTA) – Deputy Director General for Science of the Joint Energy and Nuclear Research Institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Tamara Korbut talked to reporters in BelTA's press center and explained why more and more countries are willing to develop nuclear energy industry.

Tamara Korbut said: “Just like the entire international community Belarus faces global challenges. In particular, those are climate change, diagnostics and treatment of oncological diseases, efforts to ensure economic, energy, and food security. Nuclear energy industry plays the key role in resolving a number of problems. It provides the country with electricity and minimizes emissions [into the atmosphere]. During the climate action summit in Dubai this year 22 countries expressed their desire to build nuclear power plants and increase the amount of electricity generated by nuclear power plants. The number of nuclear power plants under construction has been steadily growing for the last few years.”

Belarus has commissioned the second unit of the local nuclear power plant this year. The work continues. Belarusian and Russian specialists are involved in the safe maintenance of units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, in the work relating to the transportation of nuclear fuel and its processing, in the management of radioactive waste.

The official noted that nuclear technologies find non-energy applications increasingly often. In particular, she mentioned the development of nuclear medicine.