Belarus' successful experience hailed as example for nuclear energy newcomers

 From 2012 to 2022, Belarus hosted all key IAEA missions recommended for nuclear energy newcomers. In a number of areas, Belarus’ successful experience and positive practices were laude. Today they serve as an example for other countries that are implementing their first nuclear energy projects, the Energy Ministry told BelTA.

The BelNPP project meets the highest safety requirements, which has been repeatedly confirmed by international expert missions, including the IAEA.

"The Agency assists Belarus in solving the most important issues regarding the national nuclear energy program, development of nuclear energy infrastructure and nuclear safety," the Energy Ministry noted. "The recommendations and suggestions of the experts form the basis of the national action plans.”

Belarus is openly and transparently implementing the recommendations based on the stress tests of the Belarusian NPP and additional safety measures. In 2016-2018, Belarus voluntarily conducted stress tests of the nuclear power plant according to the EU methodology. They assessed the "safety margins" above the requirements established by national legislation. The stress tests checked the reliability of the nuclear power plant in the event of natural disasters, in particular earthquakes and floods, and various man-made accidents. In addition, the risks associated with the human factor were analyzed too. As the Energy Ministry emphasized, no safety deficits were identified at the nuclear power plant. 

The ministry said that based on the results of the stress tests, the national regulator Gosatomnadzor out together a national action plan, which summarized the recommendations of both the national expertise and the experts of the European partner test.
The document contains 23 points and deadlines in the period from 2019 to 2025. By the way, the key measures of the plan regarding additional systems and equipment to ensure the safety of the Belarusian NPP have already been completed. 

Representatives of the media and the expert community of Kazakhstan are visiting the Belarusian nuclear power plant as part of a press tour. The participants of the press tour will get familiar with Belarus’ experience in developing nuclear energy infrastructure, approaches to ensuring the safety of the Belarusian NPP, developments in the field of personnel training and examples of cooperation with leading international organizations.