Name of the Project
Ostrovets nuclear power plant (NPP) project.

Location
Grodno, Belarus.

Project Owner/s
Russian State nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Project Description
The project entails the construction of two 1 200 MW pressurised-water energetic reactors for the first nuclear power plant in Belarus.

The plant will be fitted with cutting-edge accident-protection systems.

The so-called core melt trap will be installed at the power units. This is a unique Russian invention and confines melted products if the reactor core melts down. The nuclear power plant is expected to produce about 25% of the electricity that Belarus needs.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
$10-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
Stage 1 of the Ostrovets NPP power Unit 1 physical startup started on August 7, 2020. The unit was connected to the grid on November 3 and proceeded to the trial commercial operation on December 22, 2020. The board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of Belarus issued the permit for commercial operation of the power unit on June 2, 2021.

Belarus Energy Minister Viktor Karankevich said in March 2023 that government was aiming for the second unit of the Belarusian NPP to be put into commercial operation in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Latest Developments
The Belarus government plans for the first trial connection to the network for the second power unit to take place in April, with Belarusian news agency Belta quoting Karankevich in March as saying that power would be increased to 40%.

From April to September, work will be conducted sequentially to bring the reactor plant to its nominal capacity, with testing part of pilot operation. The readiness for commissioning the NPP in accordance with the commissioning programmes is forecast for October 2023.

The second unit is reportedly 98% ready and preparatory work is under way on the final stage to start a chain reaction and bring the reactor plant to the minimum controllable level of 1% of reactor power, the Minister has said.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
Atomstroyexport (nuclear reactors); and Rosatom Engineering Division (general designer and contractor).

Contact Details for Project Information
Rosatom communications department, tel +7 499 949 4412, fax +7 499 949 2722 or email press@rosatom.ru.