The Belarus Ministry of Energy of Belarus and Rosatom are to sign a framework agreement on the construction of the third unit of the Belarusian NPP (BelNPP) by the end of 2026, according to Energy Minister Denis Moroz. He said an interdepartmental working group has been created by the Energy Ministry and Rosatom corporation to formulate a framework agreement on construction of the unit.
The first nuclear power plant in Belarus was built near the city of Ostrovets, Grodno region, according to the standard NPP-2006 Russian project. The general contractor was the Atomstroyexport company (part of Rosatom). Unit 1 was incorporated into the combined power system in November 2020 and entered commercial operation in June 2021. Unit 2 was included in the country’s unified power grid in May 2023 and entered commercial operation the following November.
“The technical parameters of this unit will be a complete copy of those units already installed at BelNPP. This means that the capacity of this unit will be 1,200 MWe. The parameters of the unit will be largely determined by how the energy sector in and industry in Belarus develops,” said Moroz. He noted that, in 2025, BelNPP generated about 17 TWh and the share of nuclear in electricity consumption has reached 40%. “This is a fairly significant value. This is a reliable and stable source of energy for our country, for our economy.”
He added that in addition to the new unit at BelNPP, construction of a new NPP in the Mogilev region was under consideration. “We’re looking at different options today for the configuration of this nuclear power plant. Together with the [National] Academy of Sciences, our design institutes and Rosatom. We are now studying several aspects: the site where it could be located; the technical parameters of this station, taking into account the prospects for increasing energy consumption beyond 2040.”
Meanwhile wide-ranging talks have been held between the Belarus Government and Rosatom’s Fuel Division, TVEL. The Russian delegation was headed by TVEL President Natalya Nikipelova and the Belarusian delegation by the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Belarus Viktor Karankevich.
Discussions covered fuel supply to BelNPP, the introduction of best practices in radioactive waste management, and the development of the Minsk Centre for Additive Technologies, the introduction of Russian energy storage devices in electric transport and energy. Supplies of fuel for BelNPP are carried out under a long-term contract with TVEL, which ensures stability and effective planning. Discussions included the possibility of introducing best practices that are already being implemented at Russian VVER-1200 units. In particular, this involves transfer from a 12-month to an 18-month fuel cycle, which increases the economic efficiency of NPP operation.
Russian specialists are also collaborating with Belarusian colleagues on a project to create a facility for the final isolation of radioactive waste and organise an advanced radioactive waste management system. Currently, pre-design work is being completed, architectural solutions and justification for long-term safety are being prepared. Training and advanced training have been organised for Belarusian specialists at Rosatom facilities.
A key project between Rosatom and Belarus was the opening in September 2025 of the first Centre for Additive Technologies in Minsk (a joint venture between TVEL and Belarusian company N-Holding). Prospects for the further development of the centre were outlined. These included localisation of the production of additive equipment in Belarus; expansion of the range of services provided; conducting R&D and technological audits at Belarusian enterprises for the introduction of additive technologies; and the development of an educational component for training engineering personnel.
“For Rosatom, the Republic of Belarus is a strategic partner, said strengthening the industrial sovereignty of the two countries», noted Natalya Nikipelova. “TVEL and enterprises of the Fuel Division are implementing innovative projects in the field of nuclear fuel and advanced industries, which are classified as part of a new technological structure. We are ready to share all our achievements with our Belarusian partners. A number of projects have already been successfully implemented, but the potential for our interaction undoubtedly extends much wider.”
