Belarus to start moving used fuel from BelNPP to Russia for reprocessing in 2032

MINSK, 20 December (BelTA) - Used nuclear fuel from the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) will be transported to Russia for reprocessing tentatively from 2032, Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich told the media in BelTA's press center.

According to Viktor Karankevich, the used nuclear fuel will be stored in storage pools located within the BelNPP reactor grounds for 8-10 years. Plans are in place to start transportation of used nuclear fuel in special casks by rail to Russia for reprocessing in 2032. This will be done by the TVEL Fuel Company, which is part of the state corporation Rosatom.

The used nuclear fuel will be stored in Russia for about 20 years to reduce residual heat generation and radioactivity. Used nuclear fuel reprocessing products will be returned to Belarus from Russia starting from 2050.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant uses the Russian design AES-2006 featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. It is an evolutionary nuclear power plant design with third-generation water-moderated reactors. Such designs boast improved technical and economic parameters. A unique combination of active and passive safeguards is their key feature.