SOCHI, 15 April (BelTA) – The creation of peak and backup energy sources with the total output capacity of 800MW to ensure uninterrupted power supply if the Belarusian nuclear power plant is shut down due to an emergency will be completed in 2021, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk during the Atomexpo forum in Sochi on 15 April.
Mikhail Mikhadyuk said: “It is a routine measure implemented in every country where powerful sources of energy are in use. A program has been approved by the Belarusian government and is being implemented. A tender to choose the supplier of the equipment is in progress now.”
Belarusian companies are supposed to perform this work. “Our power engineering industry has a very powerful component for construction, installation, startup and commissioning work,” the official stressed.
“We have to finish this work in 2021. We are going to use external credit resources and our own ones. Assistance with raising the funding is one of the conditions of the tender,” Mikhail Mikhadyuk added.
The Belarusian nuclear power plant is being built near Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast using a Russian design featuring two VVER-1200 reactors with the total output capacity of 2,400MW. The first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2019, with the second one to go online in 2020.
