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Second nuclear power plant in Belarus possible

MINSK, 19 April (BelTA) – Another nuclear power plant may be built in Belarus if the first one is a success. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement as he answered questions from parliamentarians after delivering his address to the nation and the parliament on 19 April, BelTA has learned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “If the first one is a success, it is possible the new society will have to build another nuclear power plant in the future. A spot for it has already been chosen. It is located in [Belarus’] east.”

The head of state noted he is in favor of electrification. “We’ve started seeing advantages of electricity in current conditions. But we should move away from the dependence on natural gas, oil, and other hydrocarbons. And switch to electricity,” the president said. Yet the matter of the cost of electricity remains on the agenda. “The government has received the relevant instructions and will have to submit a report soon on how much electricity will cost. If we consider the fact that the nuclear power plant is being built at the expense of the Russian loan, which we will have to pay back, electricity will not be cheap. This is why it is likely we may have to subsidize it. We will have to decide where we will get the money,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

The president went on saying that attempts are being made in Belarus to use other sources of energy starting from wind-powered generators, solar panels and ending with hydropower plants.

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