Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 24 February (BelTA) – The decision to build the nuclear power plant was a strategically right choice, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko said during the session of the Energy Ministry board on 24 February, BelTA has learned.

“We badly need a nuclear power plant. There were different views, there were opponents. But Belarus has no other choice. The plant will produce almost one third of energy, or at least a quarter of the energy we need,” Vladimir Semashko said.

“The launch of our own nuclear power plant will help ensure the country's energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil and gas. We should bear in mind that oil and gas will be growing more expensive. The decline in the oil and gas prices will not last long. To build the nuclear power plant was the right strategic choice,” the Belarusian vice premier said.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is built using the AES-2006 nuclear power plant design that features VVER-1200 type reactors. The construction site is located 18km away from Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The power plant will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW (2x1,200MW). The first unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.