Belarus does not rule out exporting electricity from its NPP

Belarus does not rule out selling electricity from its NPP to the neighboring countries, given there is mutual interest, Valery Porshnev, deputy chief engineer at Belenergo, said during the online conference hosted by the BelTA website on 12 December.

“We operate in the single energy complex. The capabilities and equipment existing in Belarus allow for that. Today we have reciprocal electricity cross-flows with Ukraine, Russia, and Lithuania. It all depends on the sale/purchase contracts between the countries. To date, all necessary electricity cross-flows are ensured. If, for example, Lithuania wants to buy electricity from us, then there is no problem,” said Valery Porshnev.

With regard to the purchase and sale of electricity after the nuclear power plant is commissioned, it is a question of the market and the prices in the region, he added. "This is the job of economists to calculate how much to sell and to whom. If our price is competitive, we will sell electricity to the neighboring countries. Of course, if it is profitable for us,” said Valery Porshnev.

In November the Ostrovets site saw the launch of concrete pouring operations to build the first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The Belarusian nuclear power plant will have two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian public joint-stock company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-engineering unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.

Belarus and Russia signed the general contract to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant in July 2012. The cost of building the installation is primarily covered by a state export loan granted by Russia. In line with the relevant intergovernmental agreement the loan can provide up to $10 billion for 25 years to cover 90% of the cost of every contract between the Russian company ZAO Atomstroyexport and the Belarusian state institution Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction.