The Belarusian nuclear power plant was launched without Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin did not come to Belarus today for the opening of a nuclear power plant in the city of Ostrovets, although he was expected, if not in person, then at least remotely. Russia was represented at the event by Rosatom General Director Alesey Likhachev.
Despite this, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, who during construction repeatedly allowed himself to criticize both Russian specialists and the conditions of the Russian loan, today showered him with compliments.
“We have trusted friends who helped create this unique object. Very little time will pass before we realize what a feat we accomplished with the support of our older brothers. I half-jokingly say: since we have learned, we need to build a second station,” Lukashenko said.
He said that Belarus has become a “nuclear power” today, which indicates that “we have brains.”
“I would like us to have our own school of nuclear scientists. I asked the Russians to have Belarusians work alongside the Russians. And the head of Rosatom told me today that Belarusians are ready to build nuclear power plants around the world together with the Russians. And they are already building today. This is a great thing. The most important thing is competence. We had to learn how to do this,” Lukashenko said.
He suggested that Likhachev create a subsidiary of Rosatom in Belarus. In turn, Rosatom, together with the Kurchatov Institute, proposed to the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus to create a research reactor.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant took 7 years to build. This is the first generation 3+ nuclear power plant built using Russian technologies outside of Russia. This project was recognized as the safest in the world, since it has two protective shells. The IAEA recognizes this.
The operating life of the BelNPP is 60 years with the possibility of extension to 100 years. The first reactor launched today produces 18 billion kilowatt hours. This is 20% of the total needs of Belarus. Electricity is already supplied to all regions of the country, which allows you to save gas by 1 million euros.
The NPP staff consists of 2533 people, of which 62 are specialists from Russia and Ukraine.
Russia has provided a loan of $10 billion, which covers 90% of the cost of the contract for the construction of the station. The credit line was open until 2035; repayment of the principal debt was to begin after the nuclear power plant was put into operation.
In the summer, the parties agreed to postpone the start date of repayment of the principal debt by two years - from April 1, 2021 to April 1, 2023.
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