Radiation safety and reliability of the operation of the NPP is a "priority of priorities". This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at a meeting on the issues of the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
"The construction of the first NPP is one of the largest and most technologically advanced projects that we have implemented together with the Russians. A lot has been done to implement this project," the head of state noted. In particular, the first power unit has been commissioned and is functioning stably, supplying electricity to the grid. According to the President, since its launch, the first unit has already generated over 12.5 billion kWh, which has allowed for the replacement of over 3 billion cubic meters of gas and saved the country more than $400 million. "Not a bad result for a start," the Belarusian leader assessed.
As for the second power unit of the NPP, activities for the physical start-up phase are underway, with connection to the grid planned for April this year, Alexander Lukashenko stated.
"I have repeatedly emphasized that radiation safety and reliability of the nuclear power plant's operation are a priority of priorities," the head of state declared. "We discussed these issues at length at the stage of making the crucial decision to build the plant, taking into account all global experience. The highest technologies are used here. This is the heritage of our people. Therefore, all issues of construction and operation of the nuclear power plant require special attention and a balanced approach."
Alexander Lukashenko recalled how certain destructive groups opposed the construction of the nuclear power plant, especially in 2020 during the election campaign. "You remember, all the 'alternatives', now fugitives, promised to close the nuclear power plant if they came to power. Although billions had already been invested in its construction. Our competitors, primarily, unfortunately, our closest neighbours Poland and Lithuania, pushed them towards this," said the Belarusian leader. "And what about today? Poland plans to build two nuclear power plants, maybe even three. Lithuania also announces the construction of its own nuclear power plant. And now consider: if we, playing political games, had stopped the construction or closed the nuclear power plant? Or if they had come to power and shut down this nuclear power plant, where about $5 billion had already been invested? That's their true face."
From an economic point of view, for energy security, the President demanded that the entire plant operate efficiently and reach its full capacity as soon as possible. However, this must not be done at the expense of construction quality, Alexander Lukashenko reiterated his demand. "I know that the Russians sometimes groan that we impose excessive safety requirements on them. But they must understand: we are a Chernobyl republic, we suffered from the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant," he explained. "Therefore, safety is the number one issue, and we will demand the strictest safety and compliance with norms during construction."
In this regard, the head of state addressed a number of key questions to the meeting participants: how safety is ensured, whether all norms and regulations are being followed during the construction and operation of the plant. The President also asked about the timeline for commissioning the second power unit of the Belarusian NPP, once again emphasizing the quality of construction. "We have not hidden and do not intend to hide that there were certain shortcomings in the construction of the nuclear power plant, which were very promptly rectified by our and Russian builders. The delays are due to the fact that we do indeed impose very high safety requirements. It is better to be half a year or a year late than to have some oversight," said the Belarusian leader.
"What measures are being taken to accelerate the implementation of this project? After all, the foundation (reactor, core) has already been created and perfected. There are only one and a half to two percent of some unfinished construction works left. When will we finish completely and leave this site?" - the Head of State added. - "I am absolutely open to all your suggestions. If my help is needed, I am ready to make the necessary decisions immediately."
Source: belta.by