IAEA: Belarus chose time-tested nuclear power plant design

Belarus chose a time-tested nuclear power plant (NPP) design, Milko Kovachev, Section Head of the IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, Bulgaria’s former Energy Minister told BelTA.

“AES-2006 is a new generation of power-generating units that Russia offers today. The design draws on the practices that were used in the construction of NPPs in China. There is a reference nuclear power plant under construction in Russia, the Leningrad NPP. This is a wise decision to choose time-tested advanced technologies. The fact that there is a reference plant is an important feature of this project,” Milko Kovachev said.

“Today we have heard out a report by the Belarusian Energy Ministry and Belarusian nuclear power plant authorities who presented an in-depth analysis of the experience that Belarus gained over the period of implementation of its first nuclear project. This information is very helpful for all participants, for other nuclear novice countries. Belarus and the United Arab Emirates are running ahead of other novices, they have already started building nuclear power plants. The experience of such countries is of much importance for the IAEA and others,” he added.

Milko Kovachev is attending the annual Technical Meeting on Topical Issues in the Development of Nuclear Power Infrastructure held at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna on 2 to 5 February. Belarus participates in the meeting as a “country in focus.”

AES-2006 project is a GEN III+ nuclear power plant design. It incorporates unique technologies that not only increase the service life of the NPP main equipment to 60 years, but also enhance safety specifications and competitiveness on the market. The project combines passive and active safety systems and has low sensitivity to human errors.