Belarus to modernize observation points in influence areas of neighboring nuclear power plants

MINSK, 15 April (BelTA) – The modernization of automated observation points in influence areas of the nuclear power plants located in neighboring countries is supposed to be finished in 2020, BelTA learned from Mikhail Kovalenko, Head of the Radiation Monitoring Service of the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry, at a roundtable session hosted by BelTA's press center on 15 April.

The official said: “Together with the Belarusian State University we started modernizing our network of automated observation points in the influence areas of the nuclear power plants located in neighboring countries in 2019. We intend to finish the work this year. The system was created more than ten years ago. It is outmoded and outdated. We would like to upgrade it up to standards of the system we've organized around the Belarusian nuclear power plant.”

Mikhail Kovalenko also said that a five-year-long project of the International Atomic Energy Agency has been launched this year. The project is designed to bolster safety in the Eurasian region. Belarus is taking part in the project. Young radiation monitoring specialists will be taught in Europe's leading labs as part of the project. It is critical for the National Center for Hydrometeorology, Radioactive Contamination Control, and Environmental Monitoring because one generation of its personnel is being replaced by another one. People with experience of dealing with the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster give way to young specialists. Participation in international training programs will allow improving practical and theoretical skills of the personnel. “I should note that the IAEA thinks rather highly of the levels of training of our specialists,” Mikhail Kovalenko said.