Reliable investor, market needed for second Belarusian nuclear station

OSTROVETS, 19 August (BelTA) – The possibility of building more reactors in Ostrovets or building a second nuclear power plant in Belarus may be considered if a reliable investor is available and the market can accommodate more electricity. The statement was made by Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk in Ostrovets on 17 August when talking to representatives of the general public of Lithuania, BelTA has learned.

“If there is a reliable investor, who is ready to build another nuclear power plant in Belarus, then we are ready to discuss these proposals. However, it should take into account the availability of a sufficient market to sell electricity and the fact that once again all the international procedures the first nuclear power plant has gone through will have to be carried out,” said Mikhail Mikhadyuk. He noted that no proposals like that had been submitted.

When asked by Lithuanians, the Deputy Energy Minister remarked that electricity generated by nuclear power plants is the cheapest kind there is these days. “I think people of Lithuania felt it once their own nuclear power plant was shut down. It should be taken into account that many European countries, including France, Finland, and other ones, are not shutting down their nuclear programs. The ones, which plan to decommission their nuclear stations, are very rich and are ready to spend a lot on alternative sources of energy,” said the official.

He also reminded that the construction of over 60 power-generating units is about to begin across the globe. According to Mikhail Mikhadyuk, the nuclear power plant, which will be built using Russian designs, is believed to be the safest and most reliable one.

“Prior to choosing the Russian design we held consultations with all the global nuclear industry manufacturers – France, Japan, China, Russia, Korea. And only two countries offered their technologies to us. China offered second-generation reactors but we turned down the offer right away. Russia offered a single reference project that incorporates both passive and active safeguards. By the way, the power-generating unit built in China using a similar Russian design has been recognized by the IAEA as the safest and most reliable one at present,” stressed Mikhail Mikhadyuk.