OSTROVETS DISTRICT, 25 March (BelTA) – The effect the third unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant is expected to produce was explained by Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz to reporters before a roundtable session on partnership in the interests of implementing the regional strategy on the sustainable development of Grodno Oblast on 25 March, BelTA has learned. Belarusian Finance Minister, national coordinator on reaching the SDGs Vladislav Tatarinovich and representatives of UN agencies in the Republic of Belarus took part in the roundtable session.
“After the Belarusian nuclear power plant was commissioned, at present it generates about 40% of the total volume of electricity the country consumes. The total amount of electricity it has generated so far has already exceeded 58 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), which is equivalent to buying 16 billion m3 of natural gas. It is the substitution that has happened in the country,” Denis Moroz said.
In his words, the colossal effect has prompted a clear understanding that the nuclear energy industry should continue developing in Belarus: “In November 2025 the head of state decided in favor of accomplishing the next project in our country: the construction of the third unit at the Belarusian nuclear power plant while simultaneously considering the construction of the second [nuclear] power plant in the Republic of Belarus. It is expected to be built at a site in Mogilev Oblast.”
Denis Moroz stressed that the additional nuclear-power electricity generating facilities in Belarus will primarily increase the country’s energy independence. “The commissioning of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has significantly reduced our country’s dependence on imported natural gas. Natural gas accounted for about 95% of the country’s fuel and energy balance when the decision to authorize the nuclear power plant construction was being made. Today the figure is about 65%. Further development of the nuclear facilities will reduce the share of the dominating energy resource. We expect natural gas to be close to 50% in approximately the early 2040s,” the energy minister said.
“In addition to energy the construction of the third unit and further development of nuclear-powered generation will produce a substantial impulse for regional development. We are in the town of Ostrovets today and see how the town has changed over the period of construction of the nuclear power plant,” Denis Moroz stated.
According to the Belarusian energy minister, the construction of yet another nuclear power plant unit will give an additional impulse to this region. “After all, the new unit will bring about more well-paid jobs with highly intelligent personnel. We expect about 1,000 people to work at the third unit. The appropriate infrastructure will have to be created. Such as housing and social infrastructure. Without a doubt it will allow the region as a whole to grow,” the official said.
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