Opinions & Interviews

VIENNA, 19 September (BelTA) – Once commissioned the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets will generate about 25% of electrical energy Belarus needs, Belarus’ Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk said at a plenary meeting of the 61^st session of the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on 19 September, BelTA has learned.

Mikhail Mikhadyuk stressed that today many states pin their hopes on nuclear energy as an economically efficient and environmentally friendly source to promote their sustainable development. Belarus has also decided in favor of nuclear energy.

“We believe that in the near future some 25% of electricity the country needs will be produced by the Belarusian nuclear power plant. This will guarantee stable supplies of affordable and eco-friendly electricity. The development of a new high-tech nuclear energy industry provides other benefits as well. We can already see incentives for the development of new manufacturing enterprises and, hence, the creation of jobs in different spheres, from the fundamental science to the application areas such as transport, mechanical engineering or construction,” he noted.

The deputy minister emphasized the unconditional priority of nuclear safety issues, the need to meet the highest standards at every stage of the NPP designing, construction and commissioning. He took note of the key role the agency plays in the development and advancement of nuclear safety standards. The agency is a platform to share experience. It also does its best to expand cooperation between the member states.

The IAEA efforts in assisting the universalization and the implementation of multilateral conventions on nuclear safety, physical protection of nuclear material and nuclear liability adopted under the aegis of the agency are of special significance. In this respect, one of the landmark events of the IAEA in 2017 was the Seventh Review Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Convention on Nuclear Safety. Belarus believes it important to maintain a professional and practice-oriented character of cooperation within the convention.