News & Events in Belarus

Belarus may invite Japan for energy industry projects

MINSK, 11 November (BelTA) – Belarus is considering the possibility of inviting Japan to participate in energy industry projects, said President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko as he met with representatives of the Japanese company Mitsubishi Heavy Industries on 11 November.

“In the near future we plan to spend huge amounts of money to ensure our energy security. You have massive capabilities in all areas. We would like Japan to take part in implementing these projects,” said Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus believes that it is immensely important to expand cooperation and business contacts with foreign countries and leading companies that operate in various business areas. “But raising the country’s energy potential is of paramount importance for us. It is energy security that directly influences the dynamics of our social and economic development and the protection of the national sovereignty,” said the Belarusian head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko admitted that Belarus’ energy budget structure is dissatisfying. The share of natural gas in energy generation is as high as 95%. It used to be a good thing once. “But with the prices skyrocketing today, the dependence on one source represents a certain threat from the economic and political points of view,” believes the head of state. This is why Belarus has to find new ways to develop the energy industry, inviting new partners to accomplish strategic goals.

Alexander Lukashenko said that after the international experience was thoroughly analyzed and the importance of having different energy sources in the national energy budget was taken into consideration, building a proprietary nuclear power plant seems to be the optimal way to resolve the problem in Belarus. The President also added that there are plans to build power plants and hydropower plants in Belarus soon. They will use coal, peat, firewood and other alternative sources of fuel.

Alexander Lukashenko told representatives of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries that it was a major disadvantage that the company has virtually no presence on the Belarusian market. “We are ready to fix the disadvantage and give your most favored treatment if you decide to operate in Belarus. We appreciate a lot that you deal with nuclear energy matters in a comprehensive way starting with research and development, design and ending with the construction of very successful power plants. You manufacture a large range of products for this industry, including new generation products and nuclear power plants”.

The President said that Belarus could use Japan’s experience of alleviating consequences of radiation exposure and overcoming psychological prejudices. Alexander Lukashenko added that Belarus has advanced a lot by cooperating with Japan in alleviating consequences of the Chernobyl catastrophe.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is a major Japanese company. It is engaged in energy industry, transportation and logistics, social security projects and environmental protection. The company’s nuclear energy division is Japan’s leading designer and supplier of nuclear power plant equipment. It provides designing, construction, engineering and maintenance of nuclear power plants and enterprises, which are involved in the nuclear fuel cycle. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has built 23 energy units in Japan and two units outside the country. The company has been engaged in nuclear power engineering for over 40 years. One of the world’s leading suppliers of basic components of nuclear power plants, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries plans to double the output of extra large equipment components in the next few years by investing $138 million in its main enterprise. The company is the world’s leading supplier of reactor and turbine replacement and modernization solutions for nuclear power plants.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks