EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Since the first unit was connected to the national power grid on 3 November 2020, the Belarusian nuclear power plant (BelNPP) has generated more than 38 billion kWh, which made it possible to replace about 10 billion cubic meters of imported natural gas. In addition, Belarus stopped importing electricity, Belarusian Energy Minister Aleksei Kushnarenko said in an interview with the Belarusian Economy magazine.
“The nuclear power plant’s output is fully in demand inside the country and meets growing needs of the real sector of the economy and the population. Electricity is used to develop energy-intensive manufacturing. Electricity is used for heating and hot water supply in new homes and after converting apartment buildings to electric heating,” the minister said. “Upon instructions of the head of state and the government the Energy Ministry in association with interested government agencies has considered the possibility of building the second nuclear power plant or the third unit of the existing nuclear power plant.”
All the aspects (economic, technological, ecological, and social ones) are being evaluated as a complex now. According to the minister, the key argument in favor of the project is the foreseeable increase in electricity consumption: “Certainly, the spare capacity is sufficient for the current five-year term and the next one. But we should think about the long run. We estimate Belarus’ demand for electricity to rise to 47 billion kWh by as early as 2030.”
A feasibility study on the matter will be prepared in 2025.