Lukashenko eager to spur nuclear research in Belarus

<p> MINSK, Jul 27 - PrimePress. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko wants to give a fresh impetus to the activity of the state scientific institution “United Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research – Sosny” of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (Minsk District). This follows from a report by the president’s press-service following Lukashenko’s meeting with President of the Kurchatov Institute Mikhail Kovalchuk, Vice CEO of the Kurchatov Institute Oleg Naraikin and Union State Secretary Dmitry Mezentsev on July 27. </p> <p> </p> <p>  “This meeting, as they often say, can become a historic one as it will give an additional impetus to the development of nuclear technologies in Belarus,” Lukashenko said. In his words, Belarus and Russia see great prospects for joint cooperation in the use of nuclear energy in the country. </p> <p> </p> <p> “Some time ago I visited our nuclear centre in Sosny. I have been and still am closely monitoring its progress. Frankly speaking, I always think that this centre needs to step up efforts,” said Lukashenko. </p> <p> </p> <p> In February, the Kurchatov Institute and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus signed a cooperation agreement. A corresponding draft cooperation roadmap for a period till 2030 has been prepared. “I want you to know that I will support all proposals. I know that the Union State program includes as many as 44 events,” said Lukashenko. He also praised a special role of State Secretary of the Union State Dmitry Mezentsev in the development of cooperation in these fields. </p> <p> <br> The Kurchatov Institute provided assistance to Belarusian colleagues in the construction of the nuclear power plant (BelNPP, Astravyets, Grodno Oblast). “We have learned a lot from you. We are ready to build these stations. We can take part in future construction projects [of Russian specialists]. There are many topics on the agenda. I want this meeting to be a historic one. I hope that it will give an impetus to the development of the nuclear energy industry in Belarus.” </p> <p> </p> <p> Kovalchuk said he had “several assistance proposals”. In particular, the parties can cooperate in the use of large megascience-class research facilities. “Today, the success of science, the scientific movement, the breakthrough is linked to large facilities - the so-called megascience facilities. These are large, expensive facilities that include accelerators, special powerful sources of X-rays, neutrons, laser sources,” he said. </p> <p> </p> <p> The United Institute of Energy and Nuclear Research – Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus is the legal successor of the Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering of the BSSR Academy of Sciences, established on June 22, 1965. In 1985 there was established a mobile nuclear power facility “Pamir-630D” with thermal capacity of 10 MW. The Institute has 150 scientific staff, including 45 candidates of science and 15 doctors of science. </p> <p> </p> Belarus’ first nuclear power plant in Ostrovets (a town in the Grodno Oblast also referred to as Astravyets) will have two units with a combined capacity of up to 2,400 megawatts. The AES-2006 Russian standard design of (generation 3+) was chosen for its construction. Rosatom’s division Atomstroyexport acts as the general contractor for the NPP construction. The Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant RUE is the project customer and the future operator of the NPP. The ceremony of the official launch of the NPP took place in early November 2020. The first power unit of the NPP was officially certified for industrial operation on June 10, 2021, the launch of the second power unit is due in H1 2022. End

2021-07-28

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