Second Belarusian Reactor Nears Operation

Ostrovets 2 is at the hot test stage of commissioning and should begin generating electricity next year, Belarusian energy minister Viktor Karankevich said on the sidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA's) General Conference yesterday. "Nuclear and radiation safety is an unconditional priority for our country, and we strictly adhere to it, developing cooperation with our international partners on the principles of openness and transparency," Karankevich stressed in a speech at Belarus' exhibition stand.

Karankevich said that Ostrovets 2 is "almost 90%" ready for power generation and he expects fuel to be loaded before the end of this year and for it to start up in 2022.

A five-year framework for cooperation between Belarus and the IAEA between 2022 and 2027 was discussed in a meeting between Karankevich and IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi. Before the end of this year, two more missions by IAEA expert teams will visit Ostrovets.

The Belarusian Ministry of Energy said: "Belarus has conducted all IAEA missions recommended for countries building their first nuclear power plant. The received recommendations and proposals were put into national action plans, which are an important guideline in the implementation of the national nuclear power programme."

The Ostrovets plant has also been visited and accepted technical recommendations from the European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group and the World Association of Nuclear Operators.

Karankevich invited Grossi to attend a commissioning ceremony for the Ostrovets power plant when it reaches full operation with the start of unit 2 next year.