MOSCOW, 19 June (BelTA) – The development of nuclear power engineering helps improve the environment, Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Semashko said during the plenary session “Atom as a basis for zero carbon energy future” held as part of the Atomexpo forum in Moscow on 19 June, BelTA has learned.
Vladimir Semashko believes that the development of nuclear power engineering will help Belarus reduce its dependence on hydrocarbons. Experts note that the world's proven oil reserves will last about 50 years, and the natural gas reserves some 70-80 years. “Today we should look for an alternative, if carbon production will be reduced,” he noted. Besides, the cost of nuclear fuel in the structure of electricity production costs is quite low. This will enable us to eliminate marked fluctuations in the tariffs for the industry and households following fluctuations in fuel prices, Vladimir Semashko said.
Speaking about the Russian AES-2006 design, the vice premier called it the most advanced and secure one. AES-2006 combines both active and passive safety systems.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant is a project to build a VVER-1200 type nuclear power plant 18km away from Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The BelNPP will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW (2x1,200MW). The first power-generating unit will be commissioned in 2019, the second – in 2020.
