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MOSCOW, 31 May (BelTA) – Safety is a key consideration that guides all phases of the project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Belarus Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk said at a plenary meeting “The future of nuclear power. New players” at the International Forum Atomexpo, BelTA has learned.

During the discussion, Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association (WNA), drew attention to the fact that Belarus is one of the newcomers which is successfully moving towards joining the club of nuclear countries. She recalled that in April the Belarusian nuclear power plant was visited by IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano and he called Belarus one of the countries most prepared for the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, noting that this is one of the most successful projects. In this connection, the Director General of the World Nuclear Association asked how Belarus has achieved such a result.

“The issue of safety was the key one before a decision on the construction of the nuclear power plant was taken. We have been guided by it as we have taken all decisions connected with the implementation of the nuclear energy program,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk said.

Belarus has built the state system to monitor the quality of the equipment and the works on the site. Progress in the construction of the plant is regularly reviewed at operational meetings of all parties concerned. This interaction enables us to work on the project in accordance with the schedule, Mikhail Mikhadyuk noted.

Simultaneously with the construction of the nuclear power plant Belarus is developing the social infrastructure in the town of Ostrovets. All construction personnel have been provided with housing. The necessary infrastructure, road and rail connections have been built.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is a project to build an AES-2006 type nuclear power plant 18km away from Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The BelNPP will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW (2x1,200MW). In line with the general contract for building the nuclear power plant the first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2018, with the second one to go online in 2020.