Minister: Belarus, Russia will step up cooperation in nuclear energy

Viktor Karankevich recalled that the 2024-2026 guidelines to implement the provisions of the Union State Treaty that were approved by the Decree of the Union State Supreme State Council on 29 January 2024, provide for joint work to ensure reliable and safe operation of nuclear energy facilities. “To this end, an action plan has been developed to facilitate cooperation in providing scientific and technical support for the operation of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The action plan also provides for joint personnel training and human resource capacity building, management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, as well as interaction when designing radioactive waste management facilities,” he said.

“We have embarked on implementing this action plan together with our Russian partners. The Energy Ministry and our strategic partner - the state corporation Rosatom, as well as its structural divisions and our organizations, provide service maintenance and ensure the supply of spare parts and components for the Belarusian NPP. Agreements on scientific and technical support for the use of nuclear fuel have been concluded. We have started developing a concept for the decommissioning of two power units of the nuclear plant and a methodology for estimating the cost of this work,” the minister said.

“Bilateral cooperation extends to training human resources for the nuclear industry of Belarus. Particular attention is paid to the training of BelNPP personnel who are part of the personnel reserve, as well as management personnel for the radioactive waste disposal facility, the first stage of which should be commissioned by 2030. We and our Russian partners have signed relevant cooperation documents and a roadmap for personnel training,” added Viktor Karankevich.