Belarus Opts for New Nuclear Power Unit

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for Industrial Info (Galway, Ireland)

Summary

Belarus is looking to boost its nuclear power capacity with the construction of a third unit at its Ostrovets nuclear power station and is considering plans for a second plant in the future. 

New Nuclear for Belarus

Belarus has decided to build a third unit at its Ostovets nuclear power plant in the northwest of the country. 

It forms part of the country's plan to boost nuclear power while reducing its dependence on gas. The decision to move ahead with the third unit was announced by controversial authoritarian leader President Alexander Lukashenko over a plan to build a second nuclear power plant in the east of the country. A second plant remains a possibility in the future, but the Ostrovets project was deemed a cheaper and quicker option, requiring much less preparation.

A Third Nuclear Unit

The proposed project will see the addition of a VVER-1200 reactor from Russia's state-owned Rosatom (Moscow, Russia). The Ostrovets plant, which features two VVER-1200 reactors, was constructed with the help of Moscow, with construction of Unit 1 begun in late 2013 and Unit 2 in mid-2014. Unit 1 was commissioned in 2020 and Unit 2 in late 2023, with nuclear power now accounting for more than a quarter of the country's electricity. 

"Five years ago, when we officially launched the first Belarusian nuclear power plant in Ostrovets, the country entered a new era," said Lukashenko. "The commissioning of the plant not only strengthened our energy security but also charted Belarus' future as a high‑tech state. Having our own nuclear station is, in a certain sense, a way to ensure sovereignty and independence. We have secured a source of affordable, clean energy for decades to come, achieving both economic and environmental benefits. Nuclear power is a miracle for Belarus."

Why Ostrovets?

Lukashenko explained that all the necessary conditions and specialists are available in Ostrovets already. He added that there is an appropriate site, production, and technological and social infrastructure in place that would allow a new unit to be constructed at a lower cost. "The ground conditions there have already been thoroughly studied. There is no need for any additional surveys," he said. In addition, a new unit will allow the country to reduce its reliance on gas. Since commissioning, the plant has generated over 53 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, and eliminated the need for importing power. Natural gas use has also fallen by 14.5 billion cubic meters (Bcm) with gas-fired power's share in the country's electricity mix falling from 95% before the commissioning of Ostrovets to about 65% today. 

He did not rule out a second plant in the east of the country, saying that he had discussed the possibility with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting at the World Atomic Week in September and that Moscow was supportive. He added: "We would likewise transform the eastern region from a backwater into a highly developed territory of Belarus. This means new jobs, investment, innovative projects, and new technologies."

Political Tensions

Neighboring Lithuania fought against the construction of the original Ostrovets plant as it lies just 40 kilometers from its capital city, Vilnius, while the European Union (EU) argued against its rushed commissioning due to safety concerns. Lukashenko, a vocal supporter of Putin and his invasion of Ukraine, controversially said in September that a second nuclear plant in the east of the country could be used to supply energy to Russian-occupied Ukraine. He said it could supply areas controlled by Russia in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk regions - all of which were annexed by Russia in 2022. Lukashenko has ruled Belarus for more than three decades, jailing or exiling his political opponents and rigging elections. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, the exiled leader of Belarus' leading opposition party, said his offer would put all of Europe at risk. "By proposing that Putin build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus to supply electricity to occupied territories in Ukraine, Lukashenka once again proves he is complicit in Russian aggression. He is trading Belarusian sovereignty for power and profits from war crimes."

Key Takeaways

• Belarus opts to build third unit at its Ostrovets nuclear power plant
• The first two units at Ostrovets were commissioned in 2021 and 2023 with major financial backing and technology from Russia
• Nuclear power now supplies 28% of electricity in Belarus

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