Belarusian nuclear power plant hailed as example to follow

The construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant can be an example of how a nuclear power plant should be built. The opinion was voiced by Alexander Lokshin, First Deputy Director General for Operations Management of the Russian nuclear engineering corporation Rosatom, during the plenary session of the international conference Atomexpo Belarus on 22 April, BelTA has learned.

“The Belarusian nuclear power plant is the only foreign power plant that we are building in a way we would build a nuclear power plant in Russia. In some aspects it is an exemplary project. I leave with good impressions every time I visit the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant,” said the executive of the Russian corporation.

Alexander Lokshin stressed that overall cooperation between Rosatom and the Belarusian side develops dynamically. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for launch in 2018, this is why the construction of the power plant is in its active phase.

Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk noted that at present Belarusian contractors handle over 80% of the operations involved in building the power plant. “Together with the Russian partner we have created a working group tasked with localizing the project or getting Belarusian companies involved. A lot of efforts is put into scientific support, the involvement of Belarusian research institutions, the preparation of the legal base for the power plant’s operation,” said the official.

Representatives of international organizations and the countries that are about to start building nuclear power plants visit the construction site. According to Mikhail Mikhadyuk, they praise the Belarusian project.

The 7th international expo and conference Atomexpo Belarus 2015 opened in Minsk on 22 April. It will stay open through 24 April. The event has been organized upon the initiative of the Belarusian Energy Ministry with assistance of the Russian state corporation Rosatom. Atomexpo Belarus 2015 is meant to demonstrate the latest technologies used to design, build, operate, and secure nuclear power plants. The forum will also highlight ways to ensure effective deliveries of equipment for building a nuclear power plant and non-energy uses of nuclear power.