Belarusian nuclear power plant's electricity meant for domestic consumption, ‘can be exported'

MINSK, 17 October (BelTA) – Electricity generated by the Belarusian nuclear power plant is supposed to satisfy the country's domestic demand but it can be exported if necessary, BelTA learned from Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich during the 27th Belarusian energy and ecology forum Energy Expo.

Viktor Karankevich said: “The Belarusian nuclear power plant was built to satisfy the country's domestic demand. Three tasks had to be accomplished: complete refusal to import electricity, reduction of dependence on [imported] natural gas, and satisfaction of Belarus' rising demand for electricity. We had a period when two units of the nuclear power plant were working and all the electricity they were generating was consumed in the country.”

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is expected to satisfy about 40% of the country's demand for electricity. By the way, in January-September 2023 the country used a total of 29.8 billion kWh of electricity, which is more than it did in January-September 2022.

Viktor Karankevich remarked that the country's energy potential and export potential will increase thanks to the commissioning of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. “If necessary, Belarus is ready to export electricity. If our neighboring countries are interested in it. As for exporting it to the Russian Federation, the possibility should be discussed as part of the formation of the common electricity market. Active work is in progress. All the questions relating to supply, consumption, purchase of electricity on this common market will be defined by rules,” the energy minister stressed.

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. They boast improved technical and economic parameters. A unique combination of active and passive safeguards is their key feature.

The Belarusian energy and ecology forum Energy Expo is one of the largest specialized exhibition events. It is organized every year with a view to developing the innovation potential of the fuel and energy complex. The forum brings together industry-specific organizations and leading producers of equipment and technologies for power engineering industry and allied trades. This year they traditionally present innovative projects and cutting-edge solutions for electric energy industry, gas industry, energy- and resource-saving technologies, digital development, and ecology.