Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant

The Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant is a project to construct a nuclear power plant in Belarus. First projects for the nuclear power plant were announced already in 1980s, but were suspended after Chernobyl accident. The start of current project was driven by the Russia-Belarus energy dispute in 2007.

The project foresees construction of two reactors in 2016-2020, and probably two more reactors by 2025. Most likely, the reactors will be supplied by Atomstroyexport. The exact location of the nuclear power plant will be decided at the end of 2008.

The project has faced an opposition on both safety and political ground.

History

In 1980s there were are plans to build build two 1000 MWe VVER reactors in vicinity of Minsk. Following Chernobyl accident, these plans were halted.cite web
url = http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/overview.htm
title = Belarus: Nuclear Power Reactors in Belarus
publisher = Nuclear Threat Initiative
accessdate = 2008-08-03] The nuclear initiative was revitalized after Belarus gained independence. On 22 December 1992, Belarus announced its intention to build nuclear power plants and started a program to examine 15 possible sites. It was foreseen that the first unit of 500-600 MW would be commissioned by 2005, and additional units with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW by 2005 and 2010. However, no decision concerning site or reactor type was not made. In 1999, the Government of Belarus adopted nuclear moratorium.

On 2 May 2002, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus would not construct a nuclear power plant on its territory, but was interested in purchasing nuclear power from Russia, and in the possibility of constructing a Belarus-owned reactor at the Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant in Russia.cite news
url = http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/develop.htm
title = Lukashenka against NPP construction Belarus
publisher = Nuclear Threat Initiative
date = 2002-05-02
accessdate = 2008-08-03] However, in mid 2006, the Government of Belarus approved a plan for the construction of an initial 2000 MWe nuclear power plant in the Mahilyow Voblast using pressurized water reactors technology.cite web
url = http://www.uic.com.au/nip102.htm
title = Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries
date=July 2008
publisher = Uranium Information Centre
accessdate=2008-08-03]

After Russia-Belarus energy dispute in 2007, Lukashenko re-declared that to ensure national security, Belarus needs to build its own nuclear power plant. He confirmed that work would start in 2008.cite news
url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7039403.stm
title = Belarus to 'build nuclear plant'
publisher = BBC
date = 2007-10-11
accessdate = 2008-08-03] The Belarusian Security Council made the decision for construction of nuclear power plant on 15 January 2008.cite news
url = http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=12258438&PageNum=0
title = Belarus makes final decision to build nuclear power plant
date=2008-01-15
publisher = ITAR-TASS
accessdate=2008-02-21] According to the presidential decree signed in January 2008, the first reactor of the nuclear power plant should be operational by 2016, and the second one by 2018.cite news
url = http://www.regnum.ru/english/955911.html
title = Construction of nuclear power plant will become guaranty of national security for Belarus — expert
publisher = Regnum
date = 2008-02-12
accessdate = 2008-08-03] cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/02/01/ic_articles_259_155301/
title = Lukashenka gives his official OK to construction of nuclear power plant
author = Tanya Korovenkova
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-02-01
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

The Nuclear Power Act, covering design and construction of nuclear facilities, security, safety, physical protection of facilities and regulation, and also prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices, was adopted by the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 25 June 2008.cite news
url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/IT-Belarus_adopts_nuclear_energy_law-2506088.html
title = Belarus adopts nuclear energy law
publisher = World Nuclear News
date = 2008-06-25
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

Location

The location of construction site will be defined in 2008. There are three most likely variants:
* Chyrvonaya Palyana sitecite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2007/04/18/ic_articles_116_150553/
title = Мирный атом выгонит бабу Ганну из дому
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2007-04-18
accessdate = 2008-08-03
language = Russian] (near Bykhaw, Mahilyow Voblast, coord|53|34|56|N|30|42|28|E|type:landmark)
* Kukshynava sitecite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/economic/2007/12/11/ic_articles_113_154412/
title = Белорусскую АЭС могут построить под самым боком у России
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2007-12-11
accessdate = 2008-08-03
language = Russian] (between Horki and Shkloŭ, Mahilyow Voblast, coord|54|19|45|N|30|45|17|E|type:landmark)
* Astravets sitecite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2008/03/03/ic_articles_116_155846/
title = Белорусскую АЭС могут построить в Гродненской области
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-03-03
accessdate = 2008-08-03
language = Russian] (Hrodna Voblast, convert|45|km|mi from Vilnius, coord|54|45|42.8|N|26|7|11.5|E|type:landmark)

Technical features

Technical features of the nuclear power plant are not disclosed and reactor supply contract is not awarded yet. The only published condition is that reactors should be III generation VVER-1000 type.cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/07/30/ic_articles_259_158247/
title = Russia’s Atomstroiexport confirms participation in bidding for nuclear power plant
author = Natallya Karotkaya
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-07-30
accessdate = 2008-08-03] Most likely the reactors would be supplied by Russian Atomstroyexport; also French Areva made its bid.cite news
url = http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Belarus_To_Announce_Nuclear_Power_Planet_Tender_Soon_999.html
title = Belarus To Announce Nuclear Power Planet Tender Soon
publisher = Space Daily
date = 2007-06-29
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

It is expected that the first reactor of the nuclear power plant would be operational by 2016-17, and the second one by 2018-2020. First two reactors will have the combined capacity of around 2000 MW. It is possible that two additional reactors will be built by 2025.

The nuclear power plant is expected to cost up to US$4 billion. In addition, there are investments to upgrade national power grid fro the power transmission from the nuclear power plant, and construction of urban settlement for power plant's workers. In June 2007, Russia offered a US$2 billion credit line for purchasing of equipment from Russia's Power Machines Company.cite news
url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/Belarus_nuclear_plant_gets_Russian_credit-120607.shtml
title = Belarus nuclear plant gets Russian credit
publisher = World Nuclear News
date = 2007-06-12
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

Organization

On 12 November 2007, a degree defining the organizations responsible for preparing the construction of the nuclear power plant was signed. According to the decree, a Directorate for the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant has established under the Ministry of Energy. This directorate oversees the preparation, design and exploration works. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department, part of the Emergencies Ministry is acting as the state nuclear regulator and licensing authority.cite news
url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/Belarus_gets_organized_for_nuclear_plant-151107.shtml
title = Belarus gets organized for nuclear plant
publisher = World Nuclear News
date = 2007-11-15
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

Scientific support for the project is provided by the United Power & Nuclear Research Institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Belnipienergoprom, a state-owned company, is the general designer of the plant and operates as project management company negotiating and signing contracts with suppliers, carrying out feasibility studies and preparing tender documents. Yelena Mironova is the Head of the project management service.

Controversy

Nuclear power plant plans have raised several concerns. Civil society groups have campaigned and collected signatures against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus.cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/06/13/ic_news_259_292139/
title = Group in Horki, Mahilyow region, said to have collected more than 2,500 signatures against nuclear power plant project
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-06-13
accessdate = 2008-08-03] cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/02/21/ic_news_259_286163/
title = Campaigners to collect signatures against construction of nuclear power plant in Cherykaw district
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-02-21
accessdate = 2008-08-03] Young members of the Belarusian People's Front have campaigned against possible Russia's involvement in the construction of the plant and urged the Belarusian government to award the contract to build the nuclear power plant to a company based in a country other than Russia.cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/05/11/ic_news_259_290332/
title = Opposition youths to campaign against Russia’s involvement in construction of Belarusian nuclear power plant
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-05-11
accessdate = 2008-08-03] A group of Belarusian scientists have decided to found a movement for a nuclear free Belarus, claiming that the Belarusian Government adopted in 1999 a moratorium for construction of nuclear power plant, which expires only on 14 January 2009.cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/03/11/ic_media_259_1691/
title =Video: Scientists come out against construction of nuclear power plant in Belarus
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-03-11
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

On 27 February 2008, Iran announced that it is ready to provide assistance to Belarus in the construction and operation of a nuclear power plant in areas such as funding, personnel training, the sharing of experience, the installation of equipment, and training in operating such equipment.cite news
url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/02/27/ic_articles_259_155775/
title = Iran is ready to provide assistance to Belarus in construction of nuclear power plant, ambassador says
author = Maryna Rakhley
publisher = Belarusian News
date = 2008-02-27
accessdate = 2008-08-03]

References