OREANDA-NEWS. July 17, 2008.  In 2009-2010 around Br9 billion will be required to implement the state programme for scientific support for the development of nuclear power engineering in the Republic of Belarus, Vyacheslav Kuvshinov, Director General of the United Energy and Nuclear Research Institute Sosny, told a session of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus on July 17 during the presentation of a concept of the programme.

In his words, the state programme is designed to run in 2009-2010 and till 2020. It is developed for the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Economy Ministry and the Emergencies Ministry. The United Energy and Nuclear Research Institute Sosny will supervise the programme. Br4.5 billion will be required for the programme’s fulfilment in 2009, with Br2.25 billion to be allocated by the national budget and Br2.25 billion by the innovations fund of the Economy Ministry. The same funding has been envisaged for 2010. Further funding will be determined during the formation of the programme.

The concept of the state programme covers the development of legal instruments designed to determine the development of the nuclear power engineering in Belarus, the development of methods for quality control of the equipment the future nuclear station will use, adaptation and perfection of technologies for processing radioactive waste at the new facility, analysis and modelling of nuclear station equipment operation cycles, assessment of the nuclear station’s environmental impact, development of concepts for decommissioning the nuclear station. The concept also touches upon improving the training quality of nuclear energy specialists, ensuring the physical protection of nuclear station facilities, promotion of international cooperation (in particular, with Russian Kurchatov’s Institute), informational and analytical support for the development of nuclear power engineering in Belarus.

According to the official, the fulfilment of the project for building the nuclear power plant envisages several phases: preparatory work, construction, start-up and commissioning, operation of the future nuclear station. The concept also envisages working out measures to minimise the station’s environmental impact.