Belarus’ nuclear program compliant with IAEA standards

Belarus is running its nuclear energy program in strict compliance with the IAEA standards and recommendations and is using counseling and technical assistance of the agency, Energy Minister of Belarus Vladimir Potupchik has said at the conference “Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century” in Saint Petersburg on 27 June, BelTA has learnt.

According to the minister, Belarus is establishing the necessary infrastructure to construct its nuclear power plant and is busy drafting the adequate legal framework. Belarus is also implementing a national personnel training program.

The decision to launch the national nuclear energy program was made in 2008. It was prompted by the absence of own energy resources, alarming dependence on energy imports and fluctuations of energy prices, Vladimir Potupchik said.

He emphasized that after the Fukushima accident in Japan many predicted a period of stagnation for the nuclear energy at the minimum. “Nevertheless, two years after the accident we see that the majority of countries that planned to promote their nuclear energy industries have resumed doing so. This proves that nuclear energy is a cost-effective and eco-friendly source of energy in the modern world,” Vladimir Potupchik said.