Turkey interested in Belarus’ experience in nuclear energy

Representatives of Turkey’s energy sector have visited the construction site of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, BelTA learnt from the Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom.

The visit of the Turkish energy specialists to Belarus was part of the cooperation program between Rosatom and Turkey to build the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Mersin Province of Turkey. The merged company JSC NIAEP – JSC Atomstroyexport (ASE) that designs the Akkuyu NPP suggested that Turkish specialists should come to Belarus to see how the Belarusian NPP is being constructed.

The Turkish delegation asked a lot of questions, from the choice of the construction site for the Belarusian NPP to the regulation of the nuclear industry in Belarus. Mikhail Filimonov, Director of the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate, told the Turkish delegation that Russia has undertaken complete responsibility for the turnkey construction of the Belarusian NPP.

The Turkish experts wondered whether Belarus really needs this NPP, as it fully meets its electric energy needs today. According to Mikhail Filimonov, the established capacity of the Belarusian power grid is 9,600 MW, while the domestic consumption is 7,600 MW. “We export the rest. To generate electric energy Belarus has to import gas and pay a pretty penny for it. As is known, nuclear energy is one of the cheapest sources of energy. We decided to diversify our energy sources using the NPP, because the country’s economic growth directly depends on the cost of electric energy,” he explained.

Mikhail Filimonov underlined that Belarus is ready to share its expertise and knowledge with Turkey. The delegation toured a facility to produce special-purpose steelworks and were demonstrated the technology to cut building bars that will be later used to construct the Belarusian NPP. They were also shown all the construction facilities, including auxiliary buildings and a place where the nuclear reactor will be installed. Director of OAO NIAEP Office in Belarus Yuri Pustovoi stated that the preparatory stage is nearing completion and the actual construction of the nuclear power plant will soon begin.

The Turkish delegation was taken to the town of Ostrovets to visit the Public Information Center. Director of the center Eduard Svirid noted that over 6,000 people have visited the center since it was established. The information about the NPP construction is available to everyone, including controlling agencies, NGOs and the general public. “We should be open and honest with people, because the absence of information and understatements generate fears and a negative attitude,” he said.

Now the population of Ostrovets makes up 8,500 people. During the peak construction stage and after the commissioning of the NPP, the population is expected to increase up to 40,000 people, which will have a positive impact on the economy of Grodno Oblast where the nuclear power plant will be located. According to experts, the NPP construction project will draw additional resources and will enhance the investment and economic appeal of the region.

Before leaving for Istanbul the Turkish delegation noted that Turkey will definitely take into consideration Belarus’ practices in the field of nuclear energy.