Plans for 2023 under Union State nuclear, gas, electricity programs implemented

MINSK, 30 November (BelTA) – The plans for 2023 under the Belarus-Russia Union State programs in the nuclear energy, gas and electricity sectors has been fulfilled, Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told the media after the Union State Council of Ministers meeting in Moscow on 29 November, BelTA has learned.

“Together with Russian colleagues, we have carried out a large scope of work to implement three Union State programs in nuclear energy, gas and electricity markets,” Viktor Karankevich said.

As for the Union State programs in the nuclear energy sector, the parties harmonized legislation and improved the regulatory framework. “The work was aimed at improving the safety and reliability of the BelNPP operation, its technical and scientific support. These were also issues related to radioactive waste management and movement of radioactive materials,” he said.

As for the gas sector, thanks to the agreement at the level of the heads of state of Belarus and Russia, the parties approved prices for natural gas supplies to Belarus in 2023-2025. “For 2024-2026 plans are in place to carry out further work on the development of coordinated approaches and principles for the formation of a unified gas market and further convergence of economic conditions for entities of Belarus and Russia in the gas sector from 1 January 2026,” the minister said.

In the electricity sector, the intrastate procedure for the agreement on the united electricity market has already been completed. The agreement is ready for signing. The document defines the main approaches to the formation, functioning and further development of the electricity market of the Union State,” Viktor Karankevich said.

“New measures have been defined for 2024-2026, which would allow to further reach the convergence of economic conditions, and laso to move to the development and effective functioning of both the gas and electricity markets,” he said.