Belarus saves about 4.4bn cubic meters of natural gas thanks to BelNPP first unit so far

MINSK, 18 July (BelTA) - The first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) made it possible to replace about 4.4 billion cubic meters of natural gas, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry.

Since the unit was connected to the grid, it has generated 6.3 billion kWh of electricity. "This made it possible to replace a significant amount of natural gas - about 4.4 billion cubic meters," Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said.

With the commissioning of the second unit, the nuclear power plant will generate about 18.5 billion kWh of electricity per year.

At present, the BelNPP second unit is at the trial commercial operation stage, undergoing dynamic tests. Since it was connected to the grid, it has produced 840 million kWh of electricity.

During a meeting with staff of the Gomel Electric Networks branch of Gomelenergo, Viktor Karankevich spoke about the potential of nuclear energy and the role of the BelNPP in strengthening the country's energy security, implementing measures to integrate the plant into the energy system and creating conditions for increasing electricity consumption by the real sector of economy and households. The minister spoke about the modernization of the power grid infrastructure, the most important investment projects for the industry. The meeting also discussed the development of the common energy markets of the Union State. Issues of demographic security and youth policy were touched upon during the meeting.