PM explains how Belarus benefits from its nuclear power plant project

MINSK, 9 June (BelTA) – Belarus' Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko told journalists in Sochi how Belarus benefits from the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) project, BelTA has learned.

“The benefits from the BelNPP are obvious. These are new competencies (Belarusian contractors participated in the project), and substitution of gas imports, and additional electricity that we can use in energy-intensive industries,” said Roman Golovchenko.

According to him, the project is of great interest to partner countries. “A mock-up of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was on display at the exhibition “Eurasia is our home”, and there were a lot of questions from colleagues who either consider building power units or have already approached the conclusion of such contracts. We share our expertise and knowledge, because this is not just electricity, this is a whole new economic sector, a new field of science,” the prime minister said.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant uses the Russian design AES-2006 featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. It is an evolutionary nuclear power plant design with third-generation water-moderated reactors. Such designs boast improved technical and economic parameters. A combination of active and passive safeguards is their key feature.