14.03.2011
From March 2 till March 4 the State Corporation “Rosatom” took part in the annual international Forum "Atomexpo-Belarus". The action was held under the initiative of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Belarus. Russia was represented at the Forum by Rosatom’s key companies: Atomstroyexport JSC, OAO "Atomenergomash”, OAO "Concern "Rosenergoatom”, OKB “Gidropress”, OAO "NIAEP", Fuel Company "TVEL" and others. From the Belarusian side, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic, the Incorporated Institute of Energy and Nuclear Researches, “Sosny” of NAS of Belarus, Management of nuclear power plant construction, industrial enterprises and civil companies participated in the Forum’s activities.
Within the framework of the Forum the IV International exhibition and conference “Prospects of nuclear power engineering development in the Republic of Belarus” were held. Michael Mikhadyuk, Deputy Minister of Energy of Belarus, and Alexander Dybov, First Vice-president of Atomstroyexport JSC, attended the conference.
According to Michael Mikhadyuk's statement, within the power balance of the country 20 % are currently covered by own energy resources, thus 95-96 % of consumed resources belong to natural gas. The primary goals which the Republic of Belarus is facing: to perform diversification of the given sector of the economy and by 2015 to increase a share of own energy resources up to 30 %. According to the adopted concept of the energy safety of Belarus, significant attention will be given to development of nuclear power engineering in the country. In Michael Mikhadyuk's opinion, there is no alternative to nuclear energy.
Alexander Dybov, First Vice-president of Atomstroyexport JSC, confirmed readiness of the Russian side to commission the first power unit of Belarusian nuclear power plant according to the existing arrangements.
- The date of commissioning, i.e. 2017, remains a priority, commissioning of the second power unit is scheduled for 2018, - Alexander Dybov said. The preparatory work prior to NPP construction was carried out during 2010. Together with the Belarusian partners practically all that is necessary for commencement of the plant’s construction was finalized.
On March 15 at the session of the Council of Ministers of the Allied State of Russia and Belarus it is planned to sign an agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on NPP construction and an agreement on measures ensuring parallel operation of the integrated power system of Russia and the integrated power system of Belarus.
Information:
On November 28, 2008 the Government of the Republic of Belarus addressed the Government of the Russian Federation with the message, in which it was pointed out that the Belarusian experts prefer the Russian NPP design, and proposed to start realization of the given project. On May 28, 2009 in Minsk during the session of the Council of Ministers of the Allied State, the Agreement was signed between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on cooperation in the area of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Two power units of up to 2400 (2х1200) MW total capacity will be constructed in the Republic of Belarus. Duties of the general contractor are assigned to Atomstroyexport JSC. It is anticipated that the Belarusian nuclear power plant will be constructed on the terms and conditions of complete responsibility of the general contractor. AES-2006 design of OAO “SPb Atomenergoproject” was chosen for construction of the first Belarusian nuclear power plant. Ostrovets site in Grodno region was chosen for location of the plant. The Belarusian NPP design corresponds to the international norms and IAEA recommendations, is characterized by the enhanced safety features and technical-and-economic parameters. The basic advantages of the Russian design are the high degree of protection provided due to use of independent channels of active and passive safety systems.
