On the commissioning of the NPP and oil refining - Lukashenko counts on the powerful performance of the fuel and energy complex

The entire economy of the country and its national security depend on the reliability and capacity of the Belarusian energy system enterprises.

The entire economy of the country and its national security depend on the reliability and capacity of the Belarusian energy system enterprises. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko today at a meeting on topical issues of the fuel and energy complex, a BELTA correspondent reports.

"Let's try to get a full picture of the current work and development prospects of our strategic industry - the fuel and energy complex. The reliability of its operation and its capacity determine our entire economy and national security. This was shown by the events of late last year and early this year, when we were forced to fight for a barrel of oil and a cubic meter of gas, which, by the way, are abundant on the market today," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

Alexander Lukashenko

Alexander Lukashenko stated that the state has invested considerable funds in the modernization of the energy sector, and today the energy system enterprises, including oil refineries, are at the same technical and technological level as those in leading European countries. "Enterprises in Europe have the same technical and technological level as ours," he pointed out.

On the commissioning of the Belarusian NPP

"Currently, we are implementing the largest investment project in the country's history - we are building the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant. The construction of the first power unit is completed, and fuel assemblies have been loaded into the reactor. Another crucial stage lies ahead - connecting the nuclear power plant to the country's energy system and bringing the first power unit to full capacity," the head of state noted. Alexander Lukashenko stated that he intends to visit the Belarusian NPP and participate in its launch.

He inquired from the Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich about the readiness of the existing infrastructure to operate under new conditions, the forecasts for tariffs, and how much they will decrease for all categories of consumers. "We are talking about electricity," the President clarified.

The head of state also raised a number of issues with the government. In particular, he asked where the additional volume of electricity that will soon appear in Belarus is planned to be directed. "Who will buy it and how will we use it? What are the prospects for exporting electrical energy?" Alexander Lukashenko asked.

On the development of the petrochemical complex

The President also noted that the modernization of Belarusian oil refining enterprises - Naftan and Mozyr Oil Refinery - is nearing completion. He asked the Chairman of the Belneftekhim concern, Andrey Rybakov, to report on the forecasts for oil supply and processing until the end of the current year and the plans for 2021, and on the stability of agreements on alternative supplies of oil and natural gas to Belarus.

Another issue on the agenda is the development of infrastructure for storing oil and petroleum product reserves. "What is the stage of the construction process of the tie-in pipeline between the oil refineries? At what stage is the modernization of these plants?" the Head of State outlined several more questions. "We have specific deadlines set. Naftan is expected to produce new products in a month. I would like to see these products personally. At Mozyr Oil Refinery, welding and installation work on high-pressure pipelines should be completed at the same time. How are things progressing here?"

Alexander Lukashenko added that the country is implementing a development strategy for the petrochemical complex until 2030. In this regard, he inquired with the government about its intentions regarding the problematic enterprises of the Belneftekhim concern.

The President also drew the attention of the meeting participants to the need to eliminate unjustified intermediation in the fuel and energy complex as much as possible. This work must be completed by the end of the year, the Head of State emphasized.