OREANDA-NEWS. January 28, 2011. Prime Minister of Belarus Mikhail Myasnikovich met with Director General of the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom Sergei Kiriyenko, who arrived in Minsk to discuss the complex issues associated with nuclear plant construction.

Mikhail Myasnikovich said that it is essential for Belarus and Russia to sign two intergovernmental agreements. The first one will focus on cooperation in the NPP construction, and the second – on parallel operation of the power grids. “We are switching from negotiations to practice,” Mikhail Myasnikovich said. He also added that the NPP construction project should emphasize the quality.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko noted that at the end of 2009, Belarus completed the domestic procedures related to the NPP construction project. “At the request of the Russian side an intergovernmental agreement on the NPP construction was tied to an intergovernmental agreement on the parallel operation of the power grids. We announce that yesterday we resolved the last remaining issues and initialed the draft agreement on the parallel operation of the power grids,” Vladimir Semashko said.

According to Vladimir Semashko, the plan of action to establish the joint venture and to ensure parallel operation of the power grids of the two countries suggests that this joint venture will be created as early as June this year.

In turn, the head of Rosatom State Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko has confirmed that the Russian side is ready to sign intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in building nuclear power plants and the parallel operation of power systems.

Belarus and Russia are going to sign a contract agreement to construct the nuclear power plant in May. A credit agreement will be signed in June, Sergei Kiriyenko said.

“We are going to sign a contract agreement in May, and a credit agreement no later than in June,” Sergei Kiriyenko said.

He stressed that Belarus and Russia stepped up efforts to work out a general agreement on the NPP construction. According to Sergei Kiriyenko, the general agreement will be completed and the construction of the nuclear power plant will start in September.

Vladimir Semashko and Sergei Kiriyenko have formalized the calculation procedures that will be included in the contract agreement and the general contract to construct the nuclear power plant in Minsk on 25 January. They have also approved the plan of the work to determine the cost of the NPP construction and the preparation of the general contract.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Vladimir Semashko noted that the cost of the NPP construction project is estimated at \\$6-7 billion “This is the cost of the power plant only, without the necessary infrastructure,” Vladimir Semashko said.

First Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus said that the construction site for the future nuclear power plant has been prepared to implement the project: the necessary infrastructure and electricity networks have been laid, a motorway is being built, the construction of railways is nearing completion. “Apart from that, the housing for the first construction workers has been built. It can accommodate at least 600 people,” he added. The First Vice-Premier urged for the maximally close cooperation between the sides to start the construction works as soon as possible.

In turn, Director General of Russia’s Rosatom state corporation Sergei Kiriyenko praised the preparatory work completed by the Belarusian party. “A good construction base was prepared; the terms of construction and necessary equipment were discussed. If we find cheaper solutions, we will use them,” Sergei Kiriyenko said.

In February the parties are going to discuss the terms of NPP construction and equipment procurement.

Sergei Kiriyenko stressed that it is important to take into account the impact of the Belarusian NPP on environment. “You have worked out a substantial Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, which complies with international norms, and held public debates. These measures are extremely important for the oncoming construction,” Sergei Kiriyenko said.

Excavation works on the site for construction of the nuclear power plant will begin in September, Sergei Kiriyenko said.

Sergei Kiriyenko said that the site for the nuclear power plant was chosen in the best way.

“We are planning to start excavation works in September,” said Sergei Kirienko. He noted that Belarusian builders will be involved in the project to the maximum where it will be possible. “This is a large-scale project. The construction of the nuclear plant will cost USD 6-7 billion plus the infrastructure. About 30% of the project will be performed by Belarusian organizations,” Sergei Kiriyenko said. The project means new jobs, broader engagement of the Belarusian specialists.

Sergei Kiriyenko stressed that if Belarusian organizations are able to supply materials and produce high-quality work at cheaper prices than Russian organizations, then there is a possibility that they will be invited to take part in the project to construct the Baltic NPP, Russia’s project. “The main thing for us is quality, construction timeframe and the price,” he stressed.

He also praised the quality of the preparatory works for the NPP construction implemented by Belarusian specialists. In his words, the Belarusian and Russian sides made their best to facilitate the coordination of the procedures on the NPP construction project.

According to the Rosatom head, initially the construction of the first energy block of the Belarusian nuclear power plant was to be finished in 2016. “Back then we planned to start working in 2010, but it is the year 2011 already, this is why the year 2017 will be formalized in the contract,” he said.

Sergei Kiriyenko added that the construction of the energy block might be finished by the end of 2016 provided both countries are able to fulfill all the tasks they have set.

The Rosatom chief emphasized that Belarusian specialists have done a great job while choosing the construction site for the nuclear power plant. He praised the high level of the survey work. “We hope that in February the Saint Petersburg Design Institute will issue a technical requirement to complete the survey work on the construction site without waiting for the intergovernmental agreement to be signed. Our Belarusian counterparts have carried out a lot of work, this is why the survey will be finished in three months, by May,” Sergei Kiriyenko informed.

The Rosatom chief pointed out that Russian specialists are working on the project on the basis of its open budget, which means that the project is undergoing state expertise in the two countries and the necessary amendments are being made when necessary.

Rosatom is interested in expanding scientific and technical cooperation with Belarusian scientists, Sergei Kiriyenko said.

The Russian corporation has plans to develop partnership with the United Energy and Nuclear Research Institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. Belarusian scientists design equipment for the Russian market. “It is not only additional orders for them, but also an opportunity to cooperate in the development of the newest technologies in the energy industry,” the Rosatom chief is convinced.

Sergei Kiriyenko has praised the potential of the further cooperation between Rosatom and Belarusian scientists. “We have great past behind and equally bright future taking into consideration the agreements we have reached,” he said.