Likhachev provided details of the discussion on the construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus

The Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) is an essential element of the country's energy security and sovereignty, and its leadership intends to develop the project further by discussing its details with the Russian side. This was stated on March 13 by Alexey Likhachev, Chief Executive Officer of Rosatom State Corporation, to Igor Baldin, a correspondent for Izvestia, following the results of the Russian-Belarusian negotiations.

"Currently, the Belarusian NPP provides about 40% of electricity in the usual format, and at the peak of winter consumption it provides more than 50%, sometimes even 56-57%. Therefore, it is an essential element of Belarus' energy security and the country's sovereignty. And, I must say, the Belarusian leadership is not going to stop there. Today there was a substantive discussion of the next stage in the development of the nuclear power plant," Likhachev said.

He noted that the country's leadership will have to determine which option will be a higher priority for them — the completion of another unit of the existing Ostravets NPP, or the construction of a completely different site, for example, two new block stations.

"Here we will always be guided by the opinion of the customer, such a fraternal customer in this case. But what is obvious is that both the leadership of Belarus and the business and industrial circles have felt this "taste of nuclear energy." And in terms of the impact on its needs, the Belarusian NPP has become a serious factor for the entire economy of Belarus," added the head of Rosatom.

As Likhachev emphasized, Belarus' positions in the world today sound different on leading platforms. The country's representatives work together with Russians and foreign partners.

"Belarus has sounded different in the world. Belarusians are working with us at almost all sites today, both in Russia and abroad: there are many of them in Bangladesh, Turkey and Egypt. We will continue moving to new construction sites together with Belarusian enterprises. This synergy of both its own development and the export of technologies from Belarusian construction and installation companies, as well as the creation of various electronics for nuclear power plants, is already becoming a serious export potential for Belarus," he said.

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Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that at a meeting with Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko they exchanged views on topical international and regional issues. We also discussed in detail almost all the main issues of bilateral cooperation.

Earlier, on January 16, Lukashenko announced the need to build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus. The growing demand for electricity in the country was also noted, both in production and among private citizens. After that, on January 21, he added that he intended to discuss this issue with Putin. Lukashenko clarified that the construction site has not yet been determined, but certain territories suitable for the construction of nuclear power plants have been identified.

In April 2024, Likhachev called the delivery of the Belarusian nuclear power plant to Belarusian partners one of the most important international projects of the state corporation by the end of 2023. The station is located in the Grodno region. As Lukashenko noted, the station has already saved more than $400 million for the country.