Promising atom

Belarus is exploring the possibility of constructing a second nuclear power plant

Just over a year ago, Belarus’ Government approved the act of acceptance for the second power unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, erected near the town of Ostrovets. Today, the question of further development of nuclear energy and related industries in the country is being actively worked out. This information was shared by Denis Moroz, Belarus’ Deputy Energy Minister.

Belarusian nuclear power plant                      Aleksey Bibikov

“The Ministry of Energy is conducting meticulous and detailed work on the technical and economic feasibility for building a second nuclear power plant or another unit at the site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant,” stated the Deputy Minister at the Nuclear Energy: New Opportunities for Innovative Development of the National Economy forum, which was held at the newly opened state-of-the-art international exhibition centre in Minsk. “We are analysing the conditions and parameters under which the nuclear power station should operate to successfully integrate into the Belarusian energy system. The timeframe set by the Head of State is 2025. We are nearing the finish line in this work. I am confident that a decision will be made in 2025,” added Denis Moroz. 
President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has recently stated that he is increasingly convinced of the necessity to construct a second nuclear power plant in the country and intends to discuss this topic with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the near future. 

The reasons are clear: the Belarusian nuclear power plant provides about 40 percent of the country’s electricity needs and has allowed for the substitution of 10 billion cubic metres of natural gas. This is a matter of energy and environmental security, as emissions into the atmosphere have decreased by seven million tonnes per year.

On the other hand, against the backdrop of dynamic GDP growth, electricity consumption in both the economy and households is rising at record rates. In Belarus, houses with electric heating are being actively constructed, where heating and cooking are electric. Some 136,000 real estate developers have already expressed a desire to build such homes. Over the past three years, the number of electric vehicles on the country’s roads has nearly quadrupled, with more than 23,000 currently in use. They have consumed 2.2 times more electricity through public charging stations alone. Thus, the two reactors of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, with a total capacity of 2,400 MW, will prove insufficient in the long run.
Nuclear energy has also become a powerful stimulus for regional development. A prime example is Ostrovets — the town of nuclear scientists — which has essentially been rebuilt according to the highest standards. The nuclear power plant has created 2,700 high-paying jobs, each of which supports more than ten jobs in related industries. It is evident that the development of nuclear energy will amplify this effect.
A comprehensive programme for collaboration on nuclear non-energy projects is being implemented in Belarus with the assistance of Russian colleagues. For instance, a republican centre for additive technologies is being established. These technologies open new opportunities in industry, accelerate production, reduce costs, and enhance the operational characteristics of the products manufactured. There is dynamic co-operation in the field of nuclear medicine and electric transport, while the list of breakthrough areas has recently expanded to include joint developments in software, digitisation in the construction sector, information security, uninterrupted power supply for critical infrastructure, and environmental protection. 
“Belarusian specialists, in liaison with Rosatom State Corporation, are working on upgrading the oncology centres in Belarus with modern medical equipment,” Tatiana Stolyarova, Deputy Chairperson of Belarus’ State Committee for Science and Technology, highlighted another significant topic. “The development of medical infrastructure is key to improving public health, enhancing quality of life, and ensuring sustainable social development on the whole. Nuclear non-energy technologies are widely used in the treatment of conditions like cancer, while radionuclide diagnostics allows for the early detection of diseases.”
The advancement of nuclear technologies undoubtedly necessitates strict adherence to safety and environmental protection standards. For Belarus — which bore the brunt of the Chernobyl disaster — this is an axiom. The incident-free operation of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, built according to a Russian design, reassures the public of the safety of future nuclear facilities.