Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 20 April (BelTA) – Belarus is open to dialogue with all countries on all matters related to the construction of the nuclear power plant, Belarus' Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk told the media on 20 April, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus strictly complies with all the IAEA recommendations. We are open to dialogue with all countries and are willing to cooperate with the neighboring countries,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk said.

Nuclear safety is a priority in the construction of the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets. “Quality of works is tightly controlled. We have developed a clear system of personnel training. The nuclear power plant project optimally combines active and passive safety systems. We do not tolerate the slightest deviation from the design requirements,” the deputy minister noted.

“The statements about the alleged poor safety of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are unsubstantiated. We are open to dialogue in the NPP project and are not hiding anything from anyone,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk noted.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is a project to build a VVER-1200 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). The first power-generating unit will be commissioned in 2019, the second – in 2020.