MINSK, 12 August (BelTA) – There is plenty of work in the sphere of power engineering. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement as he appointed Aleksei Kushnarenko Energy Minister, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “As for the Energy Ministry, I can say sincerely that it is not the Agriculture and Food Ministry where everyone is afraid of working. Because the work is hard and the rest. The Energy Ministry has always been considered a priority work place. I don’t think that you think that way. There is plenty of work over there. Particularly now. And in the future. Regarding our plans to build or not to build a new nuclear power plant. And the overall efforts to reduce things to order over there. This is why you two [together with new Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich, who has been the energy minister up till now] will have plenty of things to take care of over there.”
“You had only positive feedback from your previous job [Aleksei Kushnarenko worked as the director general of the fuel and gas-supplying industrial group Beltopgaz]. I took a careful look at your candidature. For several years already. One can say since 2020. This is why I hope that we will not lose the ministry,” the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also instructed Viktor Karankevich to assist the new energy minister initially if assistance is required.
Talking to reporters after his appointment, Aleksei Kushnarenko stressed that he would actively contribute to the work on building the second nuclear power plant in Belarus.
“As far as the Belarusian nuclear power plant is concerned, a group of experts is working on it. I will get actively involved in this work and there is no doubt that I will work out an opinion, which will be presented for consideration of the relevant agencies, the head of state with the full understanding of the significance of the matter,” he stressed.
Talking about his appointment to the position of the energy minister, Aleksei Kushnarenko remarked that his career had gradually proceeded from a young specialist and a gas industry foreman to the minister. “I see it as a sign of colossal trust on the part of the head of state and of the high responsibility for future work,” he said.
The new energy minister also pointed out that the ministry’s work will be primarily geared towards improving the quality of power supplied to consumers.
“Because essentially the energy industry is the blood system of the economy, the most important component in the life support of the population,” Aleksei Kushnarenko said. “Due to recent natural calamities everyone paid attention to and felt what it is like to live in a home without power. The system has evolved over decades. The Belarusian energy system is self-sufficient.”
“But perfection knows no limits. And certainly all the efforts will be geared towards ensuring accident-free, uninterrupted, affordable, and quality supply of electricity, natural gas, and peat. Everything the Energy Ministry is responsible for,” the minister concluded.
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