News & Events in Belarus

MINSK, 4 November (BelTA) – Belarus is getting down to the main phase of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed relevant decree No. 499 on 2 November, the press service of the Belarus President told BelTA.

In accordance with article 4 of the law on using nuclear energy the President of the Republic of Belarus has to decide on building a nuclear power plant or a power-generating unit.

Belarus has already completed preparations required to begin the nuclear power plant construction, including within the framework of international commitments.

The infrastructure required to build the nuclear power plant has been created near the construction site. The design documents have been developed and approved by Council of Ministers resolution No. 457 of 30 September 2013. The customer — the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate — has been licensed to perform activities involving the use of nuclear energy and ionizing radiation sources with regard to the construction of nuclear installations.

The decree allows the general contractor — the Russian company ZAO Atomstroyexport — to start building the Belarusian nuclear power plant.

For the sake of keeping the project on schedule, streamlining administrative procedures and reducing expenses financed by the state budget the decree enables land allocation in parallel with construction operations. Wood will be harvested and sold by the forestry enterprises responsible for this land plot.

The Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate or its legal successor can allow gratuitous use of temporary structures of the nuclear power plant for the duration of the construction process.

The customer will be exempt from compensating for losses of agricultural and forestry enterprises caused by the temporary occupation of the agricultural and forest lands required to build the nuclear power plant.

Apart from that, foreign citizens, who are hired to build the nuclear power plant and operate it for the duration of the warranty period, are exempt from paying for temporary residence permits.