Posted:
15.10.2025 15:42:10
Source of clean energy
Belarus strengthens its position in the global nuclear sector
Amidst the restructuring of the global economy and the implementation of advanced solutions, the issue of having large volumes of electricity is becoming increasingly acute. Peaceful nuclear power can be the constant source of energy, and we are currently witnessing its true renaissance. Those countries that abandoned nuclear power plants at the end of the 20th century, closing them under pressure from environmentalists, have now actively switched to resuming their nuclear programmes. In 2025, a 20-year-old record was broken; the world’s power plants have generated a total of 2,500 terawatt hours (TWh). Belarus is successfully working in this area and is considering issues related to the development of nuclear projects.
Belarusian nuclear power plant, Grodno Region
The President of Belarus,
Aleksandr Lukashenko,
“Together [Belarus and Russia] we constructed a nuclear power plant [in Belarus], implementing the most advanced project. We already know how to do everything. The only thing we cannot do is weld a reactor — that is your area of expertise — and there is no need [to do it in Belarus]. We have already learned to do everything else. We are ready to implement [projects] in all partner countries and in those that are still thinking about what kind of plant to build. We are ready to participate in this.”
During participation in the Global Atomic Forum in Moscow, on September 25th, 2025
Aleksandr Lukashenko,
“Together [Belarus and Russia] we constructed a nuclear power plant [in Belarus], implementing the most advanced project. We already know how to do everything. The only thing we cannot do is weld a reactor — that is your area of expertise — and there is no need [to do it in Belarus]. We have already learned to do everything else. We are ready to implement [projects] in all partner countries and in those that are still thinking about what kind of plant to build. We are ready to participate in this.”
During participation in the Global Atomic Forum in Moscow, on September 25th, 2025
Consumers are increasing
Moscow hosted the Global Atomic Forum, which featured important statements about the prospects for the development of nuclear technologies, as well as outlined plans in the nuclear field in Belarus.During negotiations between the presidents of Belarus and Russia, it was emphasised that Belarus achieved a lot in the field of nuclear energy. We have built a nuclear power plant (NPP) and created a corresponding industry. Belarusian specialists, together with Rosatom, are working on the construction of landmark facilities abroad.
According to the Belarusian leader, the economy is growing, and more and more electric vehicles are appearing, “The crucial thing is that we have already experimented — we have converted residential buildings to run on electricity [referring to heating and hot water supply]. Promising consumers are data centres and artificial intelligence.”
Closed cycle
A significant announcement in the field of peaceful nuclear technology included the unveiling of Moscow’s plans to launch, by 2030 in Russia’s Tomsk Region, the world’s first nuclear power system with a closed fuel cycle. This is, in every sense, a revolutionary development by scientists and engineers. Essentially, the entire volume — 95 percent of spent fuel — will be repeatedly reused in reactors. This mechanism will, in the future, almost completely solve the problem of accumulating radioactive waste.The importance of developing peaceful nuclear energy was deeply recognised by other countries as well.
Thus, in Kazakhstan last year, a referendum was held where citizens chose whether they wanted a power plant or not. Over 70 percent voted in favour of the construction. It is Russian peaceful nuclear technology that will be implemented there, despite competition from China, France and South Korea. Rosatom offered not only the technology but also state export financing.
Armenia has decided to extend the operational life of its nuclear power plant again, from 2026 to 2036. The Armenian NPP modernisation project is not just a technical task, but the result of a productive and trusting partnership between Armenia and Rosatom state corporation. The Armenian plant was built by Soviet specialists almost half a century ago. It is a unique facility, the only one in the world to have withstood an earthquake of magnitude 9. The power unit not only survived but is still working properly, and there are resources for at least another 10 years.
Electricity takes to the water
A promising area for the development of peaceful nuclear power is mobile NPPs, which can be leased. This refers to small reactors, which have proven themselves on Russian nuclear icebreakers and those helping to develop the Northern Sea Route. Rosatom plans to create six dozen units similar to the world’s only floating NPP, Akademik Lomonosov. It was put into operation five years ago for Chukotka Autonomous Region, located in the bay of the port town of Pevek.Many countries are interested in floating plants — they can approach the shore and sell kilowatt-hours.
Socket for AI
Russia is ready to share nuclear developments and knowledge and intends to step up production. Moreover, modern NPPs of any format are designed for a long time, with resources sufficient for 100 years. Only Russia today possesses competencies in the entire technological chain of nuclear energy, and thanks to safety and resistance to external influences, such units are the most in-demand in the world.
According to the IAEA forecast, by the middle of the 21st century, the total capacity of all NPPs in the world may increase by more than 2.5 times, and the growth in demand for peaceful nuclear power will largely be provided by the countries of the Global South and East. The New Development Bank, created by the BRICS countries, has confirmed its readiness to finance nuclear projects.Currently, there is another wave of interest in nuclear energy both in the West and in the South and East. An additional factor is China’s ambitious plans for dozens of units, which provokes ‘jealousy’ from the USA and its desire not to lag behind in the new race.
The peaceful atom is becoming an indispensable energy source for ensuring rapid adoption of advanced technologies (data centres, artificial intelligence). Thanks to our President’s sound political decisions regarding the construction of a national NPP, Belarus is now a strong and fully-fledged partner of the global nuclear industry leader — Russia and Rosatom. We are ready not only to build our second NPP, but also to participate in the construction of plants in other countries around the world. Most importantly, the peaceful atom enables us, Belarusians, to ensure high rates of economic growth, and therefore, stable conditions for improving our own well-being.
TO THE POINT
Today, Rosatom ranks first in the world in terms of the number of projects abroad — 57 countries. Russian power units are operating or under construction in Armenia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Hungary, Egypt, India, Iran, China and Nigeria. In addition, the country exports nuclear fuel and conducts uranium exploration and mining in other countries.WHAT ARE EUROPE’S PLANS?
Italy adheres to similar approaches, intending to complete the development of a plan by the end of 2027 that will allow the use of nuclear energy again after a nearly 40-year ban.
The Czech Republic also plans to build the country’s first small-capacity reactor. To this end, CEZ and British Rolls-Royce SMR have signed an Early Works Agreement for construction.
By Aleksei Avdonin, analyst at Belarusian Institute for Strategic Research (BISR)
