Belarus nuclear plant could switch to longer fuel cycle

Wednesday, 23 April 2025

The Belarus nuclear power plant is located in Ostrovets in the Grodno region. A general contract for its construction was signed in 2011, with first concrete for unit 1 poured in November 2013. Rosatom began construction of unit 2 in May 2014. They are both VVER-1200 reactors.

The first Ostrovets power unit was connected to the grid in November 2020 and, the energy ministry says, the plant will produce about 18.5 TWh of electricity per year, equivalent to 4.5 billion cubic metres of natural gas, with an annual effect on the country's economy of about USD550 million. The second unit was put into commercial operation on 1 November 2023.

At the moment they operate on an annual scheduled shutdown for fuel loading and maintenance. Extending the fuel cycle reduces the numbers of shutdowns required, meaning that output and efficiency of a nuclear power plant increases.

TVEL is the fuel division of the Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom and it has a number of pilot and trials in place to extend the length of each fuel campaign. It said that at the meeting "it confirmed its readiness to offer Belarusian partners new developments in the field of nuclear fuel and fuel cycle options (18-24 months) to improve the efficiency of the Belarusian NPP".

The issue was discussed during a meeting of TVEL officials, led by its President Natalia Nikipelova, and Belarusian officials led by Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich in Minsk last week.

The talks also covered plans for the construction of a national waste disposal site, with a summary of work on location assessments and the 2025 priorities of preparing architectural solutions and justification of long-term safety.

Belarus is also preparing a feasibility study this year on options for a second nuclear power plant in the country, or a third unit at the existing plant.