Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom is discussing with Belarus the possible construction of another nuclear power plant and a research reactor, Belarusian state news agency Belta reported.
Belta said Rosatom chief executive officer Alexey Likhachev had made the comments in a video message to employees in Russia’s nuclear industry.
Earlier this month Belarus announced that the Russian-built Belarusian-1 nuclear power plant had been connected to Belarus’ power grid and had started producing electricity.
Belarus is building two Russia-supplied Generation III VVER-1200 plants near Ostrovets in western Belarus. Unit 1 is scheduled to be put into commercial operation in February 2021 and Unit 2 in May 2022.
Belta said Rosatom chief executive officer Alexey Likhachev had made the comments in a video message to employees in Russia’s nuclear industry.
Earlier this month Belarus announced that the Russian-built Belarusian-1 nuclear power plant had been connected to Belarus’ power grid and had started producing electricity.
Belarus is building two Russia-supplied Generation III VVER-1200 plants near Ostrovets in western Belarus. Unit 1 is scheduled to be put into commercial operation in February 2021 and Unit 2 in May 2022.
Construction of Belarusian-1 began in November 2013 and of the identical Belarusian-2 in April 2014. Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom is the general contractor for both plants.
The cost of the two units, largely funded by a loan from Russia, has been reported as $11bn (€9.3bn).
Meanwhile, Belarus’ energy ministry said in a statement on Monday that Belarusian-1 had been shut down to replace some of its equipment.
“During the tests ... the need to replace individual electrical measuring equipment was identified,” the ministry said.
“Replacement of this equipment is being carried out in accordance with the technological regulations... All technological systems are operating normally,” it added.
