Belarus plans to develop cooperation with Russian nuclear fuel producer TVEL

The Belarusian Energy Ministry plans to develop cooperation with the Russian nuclear fuel producer TVEL. The corresponding agreement was reached at a meeting between Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich and a delegation of TVEL Fuel Company headed by President Natalya Nikipelova, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian Energy Ministry.

The parties discussed the main areas of cooperation and the prospects for new joint projects.

Belarus and the Russian company have significant potential for expanding partnership. "This is not only cooperation in the field of radioactive waste management, but also related promising industries in which the company has unique experience and competencies," Viktor Karankevich said.

Through joint efforts, the parties have done serious work to prepare strategic documents for the Belarusian nuclear industry, namely the national strategy for radioactive waste management, the concept of decommissioning the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the project to build a radioactive waste storage facility.

Last year, the parties had a number of important meetings, including at the level of Deputy Energy Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk and outlined new promising areas of cooperation, including efforts to ensure a balanced nuclear fuel cycle which is about the effective management of spent nuclear fuel and rational use of recycled products.

The Energy Ministry stressed that joint work on training personnel in the field of radioactive waste management is no less important for Belarus. The parties plan to develop a roadmap for cooperation in this area with the inclusion of specific enterprises and scientific institutes of the company. The parties also considered the possibilities of interaction in the field of introducing additive technologies, supplying energy storage systems, applying modern solutions for the digitalization of the industry and others.

TVEL Fuel Company is the only supplier of nuclear fuel for Russian nuclear power plants. Rosatom's fuel division is the world's largest producer of enriched uranium.