Opinions & Interviews

Belarusian nuclear power plant seen as international supplier of electricity

MINSK, 2 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian nuclear power plant could supply electricity not only to Belarus but the entire region. The statement was made by the Lithuanian ex-president, member of the European Parliament Rolandas Paksas after meeting with Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich on 2 May, BelTA has learned.

Rolandas Paksas reminded that some time ago there were plans to build nuclear power plants in Lithuania, Belarus, and Russia’s Kaliningrad Oblast.

“Why can’t we come to terms and build one to satisfy needs of this region?” wondered Rolandas Paksas. “One should pursue a policy to make people’s lives better.”

Rolandas Paksas remarked he is in favor of building nuclear power plants and had spoken in favor of keeping the Ignalina nuclear power plant in Lithuania running. “But conditions of the European Union turned out to be very rigid. The nuclear power plant had to be closed. The nuclear power plant was absolutely safe,” he believes.

According to the politician, it would be possible to gather a group of experts from the entire world in order to monitor the Belarusian nuclear power plant and give a competent opinion. “I’ve been shown how many international institutions have seen, are seeing, and will see this nuclear power plant. I am not an expert, I am a politician. And I understand that politics is an art of persuasion. If such a group was available to offer permanent and transparent oversight and make conclusions, I think it would help a lot,” Rolandas Paksas added.

The politician believes that for Lithuania good relations represent a priority along with the advancement of relations with the European Union and NATO. In his opinion, it is necessary to work on improving relations with neighbors, including Belarus. “Once there are good political, cultural, and economic relations between our countries [Lithuania and Belarus], I think such contradictions regarding the nuclear power plant and such disagreements will simply go away,” the politician believes.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.

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