Likhachev: Rosatom ready to build second nuclear power plant in Belarus if necessary

The Russian side is ready, if necessary, to assist Belarusian partners in the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus – as stated by Aleksei Likhachev, the Director General of Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation

“We are ready to do this. The technical aspects and the location of the future block only need to be agreed upon,” Mr. Likhachev said. “The Belarusian side, together with its Russian colleagues, should decide on the timing and economic model of the project. We will implement the decision taken by the Government of Belarus together with Russia’s Energy Ministry – regarding the place, time and economic scheme of the project.”

According to Rosatom CEO, by the end of last year, the share of nuclear energy in Belarus’ energy balance reached 28.5 percent, and the republic is among the top twenty countries in the world according to this indicator.

Mr. Likhachev added that both power units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant are operating at one hundred percent capacity, “There are no points of criticism with regard to their operation. The station works under the IAEA full control, and all safety rules are an absolute priority.”