Energy ministry on BelNPP: Safety is number one priority

MINSK, 8 September (BelTA) – Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk spoke about the work done to ensure the safety and reliable operation of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP) during the public hearings held ahead of granting the license to operate the BelNPP second unit, BelTA has learned.

“The head of state, when making a decision to build the NPP, set the main priority to ensure the safety of this project. There are three main components of ensuring the safety of the plant: the choice of the best modern technologies, offered on the world market, quality implementation of the project and the selection and training of personnel for reliable operation of the plant,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk said.

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On the president's instructions, the country's specialists and scientists studied the options and held negotiations with all global companies that offered nuclear power plant projects. “As a result, we chose the Russian project of generation 3+ with increased safety. This project remains the world's most demanded today. Rosatom State Corporation was identified as a strategic partner,” the deputy minister said.

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A regulatory body - the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) and the Nuclear Energy Department of the Energy Ministry were established in Belarus. Scientific support was also provided through the Joint Energy and Nuclear Research Institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The country adopted a state program of personnel training for nuclear power. Belarus also established constructive cooperation with the IAEA and other international organizations. A number of documents and intergovernmental agreements were also prepared for the project implementation.