Ru
|
Eng
IAEA monitors installation of safety systems at BelNPP
20.12.2013
Expert: BelNPP meets all environmental requirements
The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is in compliance with all environmental safety requirements, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“Speaking about environmental safety in the vicinity of the BelNPP construction site, I would like to say that the nuclear power plant is built in compliance with all the requirements indicated in the design documents. As you know, the BelNPP design was hailed by the IAEA as the world’s safest NPP design,” the expert said.
According to Yuri Solovyov, it is important that the resources and safety systems stipulated by the project should be delivered to the construction site in time. “The first three parts of the device meant to localize possible molten mass leaks from the active zone have been delivered to the construction site. This device is part of the passive security system,” he reminded.
In November 2013 the Ostrovets site saw the launch of concrete pouring operations to build the first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The Belarusian nuclear power plant will have two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 was chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian public joint-stock company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-engineering unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.
Expert: IAEA monitors installation of safety systems at BelNPP
Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency are closely monitoring the installation of the safety systems stipulated by the project to construct the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“Every nuclear energy project that claims to comply with international standards and rules established by the IAEA is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Belarusian nuclear power plant is no exception. Analyzing media reports and the frequency of visits of the IAEA experts to Belarus, I can assume that everything is going on in line with the rules of this reputable organization. More than that, the IAEA representatives praised the course of the project implementation several times. As I represent the Belarusian civil society, it is important for me that the IAEA experts closely monitor the installation of all the safety systems stipulated by the construction project and praise the way the project is implemented,” the expert said.
Yuri Solovyov noted that delegations from countries seeking to promote their nuclear energy visit the Belarusian NPP construction site to learn more about the project and to study Belarus’ expertise and knowledge. “I believe it speaks volumes about the project,” the environmentalist said.
Belarus and Russia signed the general contract to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant in July 2012. The cost of building the installation is primarily covered by a state export loan granted by Russia. In line with the relevant intergovernmental agreement the loan can provide up to $10 billion for 25 years to cover 90% of the cost of every contract between the Russian company ZAO Atomstroyexport and the Belarusian state institution Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction.
Belarus seeks to involve Latvian experts into public survey of BelNPP
Belarusian environmentalists would like to engage Latvian NGOs into the public monitoring of the environmental impact of the Belarusians nuclear power plant, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“At present representatives of Belarus, Russia and Lithuania are involved in the public monitoring project. French and Finnish environmental organizations might join the project as well. Talks are underway to involve Latvian NGOs into the project,” Yuri Solovyov said.
He reminded that within the framework of the environmental monitoring project, Belarusian NGOs jointly with the National Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus did measurements of gamma radiation and collected samples of soil, water and air for caesium-137 and strontium-90 around the NPP construction site and several settlements located nearby, including the town of Ostrovets.
“The data obtained during the tests will become the basis for an independent monitoring of the impact of the nuclear power plant on the environment. The results of the tests will be used to monitor the changes in the environment near the nuclear power plant after the facility is commissioned,” the environmentalist said.
The project to conduct the public monitoring of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s environmental impact has been carried out upon the initiative of a number of Belarusian ecological organizations with assistance of the general public, scientists, and specialists from Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. The Russian side was represented by the interregional ecological organization Oka while the Lithuanian side was represented by the Institute for Regional Development and Democracy. The National Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus used the data collected in 2013 to compile a detailed report. The report was made available via the websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate. Results of the monitoring were presented to the general public of Lithuania at a roundtable session in Vilnius on 17 December.
Lithuania invited to verify sampling results in Belarusian nuclear station environmental monitoring
Belarusian ecologists suggest that Lithuanian colleagues should take samples in areas of Belarus, which are close to the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction site, and then analyze the samples in Lithuania. The information was released by Yuri Solovyev, head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative, at the online briefing hosted by the BelTA press center on 20 December.
“At the roundtable session in Vilnius in December we voiced the proposal for our Lithuanian colleagues. For the sake of verifying the Belarusian lab results they should take samples in Belarus in 2014 and then analyze them in Lithuania. I think it will considerably increase the trust of the Lithuanian public in the information provided and will testify to the transparency of our project,” stressed the expert.
Yuri Solovyev reminded that volunteers of ecological non-governmental organizations together with specialists of the national center for radiation control and environmental monitoring of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry took 70 samples near the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction site and in nearby populated localities in 2013. “We took samples of soil, ground water and surface water and atmospheric air. The samples have been already analyzed by the national center for radiation control and environmental monitoring using the latest equipment Belarus has. I would like to stress that the analysis was carried out using certified equipment in line with international standards,” said the ecologist.
When asked whether Belarusian ecologists will be able to carry out their plans and monitor the radiation and ecological situation in areas of Lithuania, which are close to the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Yuri Solovyev said: “Specialists of scientific organizations, representatives of public organizations of Lithuania welcome the idea. Unfortunately, we have not received any response from Lithuanian government agencies in this regard, but we expect that we will and the project will be implemented”.
In 2013 the first stage of the project to conduct the public monitoring of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s environmental impact was carried out. As part of the project representatives of non-governmental ecological organizations of Belarus, Russia, and Lithuania in association with representatives of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry and the scientific community took samples of air, water, and soil to assess radiation in Ostrovets, nearby villages, and at the construction site of the nuclear power plant. The results of the survey are now the reference point that will be used later to monitor the operational nuclear power plant’s environmental impact. The survey report was presented in Minsk and Vilnius. The organizers plan to carry out similar surveys next year in the parts of Lithuania, which are adjacent to the construction site.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant will boast two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian public joint-stock company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant.
Results of public monitoring of Belarusian nuclear station’s environmental impact in Lithuanian
Results of the public survey meant to assess the environmental impact of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, which is under construction, will be translated into Lithuanian. The information was released by Yuri Solovyev, head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative, at the online briefing hosted by the BelTA press center on 20 December.
Asked about the accessibility of public monitoring results for citizens from various countries, Yuri Solovyev reminded that the results were presented in Vilnius on 17 December. Information about the results was delivered to the general public via Lithuania’s top mass media. “We also requested Lithuanian partners to publish the report on their website,” noted the ecologist. “The possibility of translating the document into Lithuanian is being decided in order to make it accessible by as many Lithuanians as possible”.
The data was also forwarded to the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry and the Belarusian Energy Ministry for the sake of publishing it on the websites of the two ministries and the website of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.
Asked about the possibility of public monitoring at all stages of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction, the expert remarked that it will depend on the activeness of public organizations. He said: “I believe that it will be possible if our public organizations are more active in this regard. Therefore, in order to assess the ecological situation at all stages in addition to environmental safety, in order to assess the quality of the construction, knowledgeable specialists are needed”.
For now Yuri Solovyev believes that public organizations are insufficiently active. “Certainly, we would like them to be more involved in the process. We are working on it. We may step up monitoring efforts,” he added.
Information about Lithuanian spent nuclear fuel difficult to obtain
It is still difficult to obtain information about the safety systems used to store the spent nuclear fuel of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The statement was made by head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative Yuri Solovyev during the online briefing hosted by BelTA’s press center on 20 December.
“We receive extremely fragmentary and insufficient information about the storage facility. There is also the language barrier: Lithuanian government agencies publish information primarily in Lithuanian, additional money is needed to translate it into Russian. But I would like to reiterate that very little information is available. We will try to work on it,” said the expert.
Yuri Solovyev remarked that a lot more information about the project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant is available in the society and mass media.
The construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is in compliance with all environmental safety requirements, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“Speaking about environmental safety in the vicinity of the BelNPP construction site, I would like to say that the nuclear power plant is built in compliance with all the requirements indicated in the design documents. As you know, the BelNPP design was hailed by the IAEA as the world’s safest NPP design,” the expert said.
According to Yuri Solovyov, it is important that the resources and safety systems stipulated by the project should be delivered to the construction site in time. “The first three parts of the device meant to localize possible molten mass leaks from the active zone have been delivered to the construction site. This device is part of the passive security system,” he reminded.
In November 2013 the Ostrovets site saw the launch of concrete pouring operations to build the first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The Belarusian nuclear power plant will have two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 was chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian public joint-stock company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant. The timeline for implementing the project is stipulated by the general contract. The first power-engineering unit of the nuclear power plant is scheduled for launch in November 2018.
Expert: IAEA monitors installation of safety systems at BelNPP
Experts of the International Atomic Energy Agency are closely monitoring the installation of the safety systems stipulated by the project to construct the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“Every nuclear energy project that claims to comply with international standards and rules established by the IAEA is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. The Belarusian nuclear power plant is no exception. Analyzing media reports and the frequency of visits of the IAEA experts to Belarus, I can assume that everything is going on in line with the rules of this reputable organization. More than that, the IAEA representatives praised the course of the project implementation several times. As I represent the Belarusian civil society, it is important for me that the IAEA experts closely monitor the installation of all the safety systems stipulated by the construction project and praise the way the project is implemented,” the expert said.
Yuri Solovyov noted that delegations from countries seeking to promote their nuclear energy visit the Belarusian NPP construction site to learn more about the project and to study Belarus’ expertise and knowledge. “I believe it speaks volumes about the project,” the environmentalist said.
Belarus and Russia signed the general contract to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant in July 2012. The cost of building the installation is primarily covered by a state export loan granted by Russia. In line with the relevant intergovernmental agreement the loan can provide up to $10 billion for 25 years to cover 90% of the cost of every contract between the Russian company ZAO Atomstroyexport and the Belarusian state institution Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction.
Belarus seeks to involve Latvian experts into public survey of BelNPP
Belarusian environmentalists would like to engage Latvian NGOs into the public monitoring of the environmental impact of the Belarusians nuclear power plant, Chairman of the Environmental Initiative association Yuri Solovyov said during an online briefing on the website of the BelTA News Agency on 20 December.
“At present representatives of Belarus, Russia and Lithuania are involved in the public monitoring project. French and Finnish environmental organizations might join the project as well. Talks are underway to involve Latvian NGOs into the project,” Yuri Solovyov said.
He reminded that within the framework of the environmental monitoring project, Belarusian NGOs jointly with the National Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus did measurements of gamma radiation and collected samples of soil, water and air for caesium-137 and strontium-90 around the NPP construction site and several settlements located nearby, including the town of Ostrovets.
“The data obtained during the tests will become the basis for an independent monitoring of the impact of the nuclear power plant on the environment. The results of the tests will be used to monitor the changes in the environment near the nuclear power plant after the facility is commissioned,” the environmentalist said.
The project to conduct the public monitoring of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s environmental impact has been carried out upon the initiative of a number of Belarusian ecological organizations with assistance of the general public, scientists, and specialists from Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. The Russian side was represented by the interregional ecological organization Oka while the Lithuanian side was represented by the Institute for Regional Development and Democracy. The National Center for Radiation Control and Environmental Monitoring of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection of Belarus used the data collected in 2013 to compile a detailed report. The report was made available via the websites of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the Nuclear Power Plant Construction Directorate. Results of the monitoring were presented to the general public of Lithuania at a roundtable session in Vilnius on 17 December.
Lithuania invited to verify sampling results in Belarusian nuclear station environmental monitoring
Belarusian ecologists suggest that Lithuanian colleagues should take samples in areas of Belarus, which are close to the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction site, and then analyze the samples in Lithuania. The information was released by Yuri Solovyev, head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative, at the online briefing hosted by the BelTA press center on 20 December.
“At the roundtable session in Vilnius in December we voiced the proposal for our Lithuanian colleagues. For the sake of verifying the Belarusian lab results they should take samples in Belarus in 2014 and then analyze them in Lithuania. I think it will considerably increase the trust of the Lithuanian public in the information provided and will testify to the transparency of our project,” stressed the expert.
Yuri Solovyev reminded that volunteers of ecological non-governmental organizations together with specialists of the national center for radiation control and environmental monitoring of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry took 70 samples near the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction site and in nearby populated localities in 2013. “We took samples of soil, ground water and surface water and atmospheric air. The samples have been already analyzed by the national center for radiation control and environmental monitoring using the latest equipment Belarus has. I would like to stress that the analysis was carried out using certified equipment in line with international standards,” said the ecologist.
When asked whether Belarusian ecologists will be able to carry out their plans and monitor the radiation and ecological situation in areas of Lithuania, which are close to the Belarusian nuclear power plant, Yuri Solovyev said: “Specialists of scientific organizations, representatives of public organizations of Lithuania welcome the idea. Unfortunately, we have not received any response from Lithuanian government agencies in this regard, but we expect that we will and the project will be implemented”.
In 2013 the first stage of the project to conduct the public monitoring of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s environmental impact was carried out. As part of the project representatives of non-governmental ecological organizations of Belarus, Russia, and Lithuania in association with representatives of the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry and the scientific community took samples of air, water, and soil to assess radiation in Ostrovets, nearby villages, and at the construction site of the nuclear power plant. The results of the survey are now the reference point that will be used later to monitor the operational nuclear power plant’s environmental impact. The survey report was presented in Minsk and Vilnius. The organizers plan to carry out similar surveys next year in the parts of Lithuania, which are adjacent to the construction site.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant will boast two power-generating units with the total capacity of up to 2,400MW (1,200MW each). The Russian design AES-2006 has been chosen to build the power plant. The design is fully compliant with international standards and IAEA recommendations. The Russian public joint-stock company OAO NIAEP – ZAO Atomstroyexport is the general designer and the general contractor for building the power plant.
Results of public monitoring of Belarusian nuclear station’s environmental impact in Lithuanian
Results of the public survey meant to assess the environmental impact of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, which is under construction, will be translated into Lithuanian. The information was released by Yuri Solovyev, head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative, at the online briefing hosted by the BelTA press center on 20 December.
Asked about the accessibility of public monitoring results for citizens from various countries, Yuri Solovyev reminded that the results were presented in Vilnius on 17 December. Information about the results was delivered to the general public via Lithuania’s top mass media. “We also requested Lithuanian partners to publish the report on their website,” noted the ecologist. “The possibility of translating the document into Lithuanian is being decided in order to make it accessible by as many Lithuanians as possible”.
The data was also forwarded to the Belarusian Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Ministry and the Belarusian Energy Ministry for the sake of publishing it on the websites of the two ministries and the website of the Belarusian nuclear power plant.
Asked about the possibility of public monitoring at all stages of the Belarusian nuclear power plant construction, the expert remarked that it will depend on the activeness of public organizations. He said: “I believe that it will be possible if our public organizations are more active in this regard. Therefore, in order to assess the ecological situation at all stages in addition to environmental safety, in order to assess the quality of the construction, knowledgeable specialists are needed”.
For now Yuri Solovyev believes that public organizations are insufficiently active. “Certainly, we would like them to be more involved in the process. We are working on it. We may step up monitoring efforts,” he added.
Information about Lithuanian spent nuclear fuel difficult to obtain
It is still difficult to obtain information about the safety systems used to store the spent nuclear fuel of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. The statement was made by head of the Belarusian public association Ecological Initiative Yuri Solovyev during the online briefing hosted by BelTA’s press center on 20 December.
“We receive extremely fragmentary and insufficient information about the storage facility. There is also the language barrier: Lithuanian government agencies publish information primarily in Lithuanian, additional money is needed to translate it into Russian. But I would like to reiterate that very little information is available. We will try to work on it,” said the expert.
Yuri Solovyev remarked that a lot more information about the project to build the Belarusian nuclear power plant is available in the society and mass media.
PRESS CONFERENCE
11.04.2023
18.12.2015
27.08.2015
17.06.2015
11.03.2015
22.12.2014
21.04.2014
20.12.2013
17.12.2013
05.10.2012