Energy Ministry to evaluate possibility of building second nuclear power plant in Belarus next year

MINSK, 21 December (BelTA) – In 2021 the Energy Ministry will arrange the evaluation of the possibility of building the second nuclear power plant in Belarus. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement in BelTA's press center on 21 December.

The official said: “We intend to finish this work in 2021 at the latest.”

In his words, the relevant government agencies are doing exploratory studies in order to compile the relevant materials and supporting rationale.

BelTA reported earlier that the Belarusian side and the Russian state corporation Rosatom are discussing the construction of the second nuclear power plant in Belarus.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The first unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2021, with the second one expected to go online in H1 2022.