The Belarus Ministry of Energy is completing an analysis of the construction of a second NPP, according to Deputy Minister of Energy Denis Moroz. He told First Information: “In 2023, we completed the largest project of the Union State [Belarus-Russia] – the construction of the Belarus nuclear power plant. This is not just a source of energy; it ensures the energy independence of Belarus. Conceptually new technologies came to our country, and we gained experience in the construction and operation of NPPs. And we understand that these technologies are the future.”
He added: “Currently, many countries of the world are declaring their intentions to develop nuclear technologies in the near future. The far-sighted decision of our head of state on the need to build a nuclear power plant, adopted back in 2008, has been fully justified. While other countries are just coming to this understanding, we are already operating such plants. Of course, we can’t stop there. The issue of building a second plant is currently being worked out.”
He noted that the order of the President to investigate this issue in detail was given in 2023 with 2025 as a target. “Detailed work was carried out with the Academy of Sciences, the Rosatom State Corporation, and the Russian Ministry of Energy to decide under what conditions and parameters we can integrate another nuclear power plant into the Belarus energy system,” Moroz noted. “By and large, all technical parameters have been defined. The preparation of economic indicators and integration parameters of the second nuclear plant into the energy system is almost complete. I think that in the near future this information will be disclosed by the Presidency.”
He said several possible sites are being discussed. “According to IAEA regulatory documents and our legislation, when preparing documents for the construction of a nuclear power plant, it is not possible to focus on only one site. Currently, several sites are being considered. One of them is in the Mogilev region. Another option we are considering is the expansion of the existing NPP.”
The Belarus NPP at Ostravets in Grodno comprises two VVER-1200 power units based on the NPP-2006 project. The 2011 intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the plant provides for cooperation in the design, construction and turnkey commissioning of the units. Russia supported the project with a $10bn to cover 90% of the overall cost. The plant was issued a permit for pilot industrial operation of unit 1 in December 2020. It was connected to the grid in March 2021 and began commercial operation the following month. It was the first VVER-1200 unit to begin operation outside of Russia. Unit 2 was commissioned in November 2023. The plant’s two units (total capacity 2,400 MWe) provide about 40% of the electricity needs of Belarus.
