Belarus’ Energy Ministry to develop co-operation with Russian nuclear fuel producer
The Belarusian Energy Ministry plans to develop collaboration with the Russian TVEL Fuel Company, with a corresponding agreement reached at a meeting between Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and a delegation from the TVEL company headed by Natalya Nikipelova – as reported in the Belarusian Energy Ministry’s press service
The parties discussed current areas of interaction, as well as prospects for the implementation of new joint projects. It was noted that Belarus and the Russian company have significant potential for expanding partnership.
“This is not only interaction in the field of radioactive waste management, but also related promising industries in which the company boasts unique experience and high competencies,” Viktor Karankevich noted.
By joint efforts, serious work has been done to prepare documents that are strategic for the nuclear industry of our country: the national strategy for radioactive waste management, the concept for decommissioning the Belarusian nuclear power plant, and the project for the construction of a nationwide storage facility for radioactive waste.
Last year, several meetings of the Belarusian delegation with representatives of TVEL’s enterprises took place, including at the level of Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk. New promising areas of liaisons were identified, including on ensuring a balanced nuclear fuel cycle, the task of which is the efficient management of spent nuclear fuel and the rational use of its processing products.
The Belarusian Energy Ministry’s press service stressed that no less significant for the Belarusian side is the joint work on training personnel in the field of radioactive waste management. The parties plan to develop a roadmap for co-operation in this area with the inclusion of specific enterprises and research institutes of the company. The meeting also considered the possibilities of interaction with the company in the field of introducing additive technologies, supplying energy storage systems, applying modern solutions for the digitalisation of the industry, etc.
The TVEL Fuel Company is part of the State Corporation Rosatom and is the sole integrator of the Russian nuclear industry for the decommissioning of nuclear facilities and radioactive waste management. It is one of the world’s largest producers of nuclear fuel.
TVEL nuclear fuel is used by nuclear power plants in fourteen countries - this is every 6th power reactor, as well as in foreign research reactors. TVEL also delivers nuclear fuel to BelNPP.
