Belarusian nuclear power plant expected to enable new opportunities for economic development

 The launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant will help implement innovative projects in various branches of the economy. Belarusian Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich made the statement as he met with employees of the Oshmyany branch of the Grodno Oblast electric company RUP Grodnoenergo, BelTA has learned.

The official said: “We are talking about new opportunities for economic growth, broad assimilation of innovations, an important component of the sustainable development of the country.” Viktor Karankevich informed participants of the meeting about progress in implementing the project to build the nuclear power plant. He drew attention to the nuclear power plant’s safety and low environmental impact.

The main results of modernization of the Belarusian energy system, including power engineering installations, were also mentioned. In accordance with instructions of the head of state in the last ten years 25 power plants were reconstructed, about 3,000MW of power-generating installations or about 30% of the country’s power-generating capacity were built or modernized. The largest ones are the Lukoml state district power plant and the Bereza state district power plant, Minsk cogeneration plant No.5. Work has been done to build and reconstruct power substations, high-voltage power lines and distribution lines, which total length makes up 280,000km at present.

At the end of the meeting the energy minister answered questions concerning housing construction, reconstruction of power grids for the sake of using electricity for heating and hot water supply. Prospects of the energy industry development were also outlined. Viktor Karankevich gave explanations to every question. He will personally control work on the queries that could not have been answered right away.

The Oshmyany branch of the Grodno Oblast electric company RUP Grodnoenergo provides electricity to over 17,000 consumers in Oshmyany District, Smorgon District, Ostrovets District, and Ivye District. The enterprise employs 680 people.

BELARUSIAN NEWS