Astravets Nuclear Power Plant
{{short description|Nuclear power plant in Astravyets District, Belarus}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Astravets Nuclear Power Plant
| name_official =
| image = Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant construction (2017) 1.jpg
| image_caption = The plant under construction in October 2017
| image_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|54|45|40|N|26|5|21|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Belarus
| location = Astravyets District, Grodno Region
| status = O
| construction_began = 31 May 2012
| commissioned = 10 June 2021
| decommissioned =
| cost = Estimated over 1,400 billion rubles (US$23 billion as of 2015);{{Cite report |title=The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2016 |date=2016-07-13 |url=https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/IMG/pdf/20160713msc-wnisr2016v2-lr.pdf |access-date=2024-09-15 |publisher=Mycle Schneider Consulting |page=41}} final cost not published{{Cite report |title=The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2023 |date=2023-12-29 |url=https://www.worldnuclearreport.org/IMG/pdf/wnisr2023-v5.pdf |access-date=2024-09-15 |publisher=Mycle Schneider Consulting |page=528}}
| owner =
| operator =
| employees =
| ps_units_uc =
| ps_units_planned =
| ps_units_decommissioned =
| np_reactor_type = VVER-1200
| np_reactor_supplier = Atomstroyexport
| ps_cooling_towers = 2
| ps_units_operational = 2 × 1,110 MW (net)
| ps_units_manu_model =
| ps_electrical_capacity = 2,218
| ps_electrical_cap_fac =
| ps_thermal_capacity = 2 × {{nowrap|3,200 MWt}}
| ps_annual_generation =
| website = https://www.belaes.by/en/
| extra =
}}
The Astravets Nuclear Power Plant (also called the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant or Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant) is a nuclear power plant located in the Astravyets District, Grodno Region in north-western Belarus. The power plant is built close to the Belarus-Lithuania border, being {{convert|40|km}} east of the Lithuanian capital of Vilnius. The plant is powered by two 1194-MW VVER-1200 units supplied by Atomstroyexport, the nuclear equipment exporter branch of the Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom. The plant is owned by State Enterprise Belarusian NPP, which in turn is owned by the state-owned operator Belenergo.{{Cite web|title=Belarusian nuclear power plant – About us|url=https://www.belaes.by/en/about-us.html|access-date=17 June 2021|website=www.belaes.by|language=ru-ru}}
Initial plans of the plant were announced in the 1980s, but were suspended after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster. The project was revived by the Belarusian government to have the country become energy-independent due to the Russia-Belarus energy dispute in 2007. The power plant was controversial due to its location being in close proximity with Lithuania and the Lithuanian government has boycotted the power plant and established anti-radiation safety measures with its citizens. Construction of the first unit started on 8 November 2013 and the second on 27 April 2014. The plant entered commercial operation with Atomstroyexport transferring the first unit to Belenergo on 10 June 2021, becoming the first VVER-1200 unit to operate outside Russia.{{Cite web|title=Ostrovets unit 1 enters commercial operation : New Nuclear – World Nuclear News|url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Ostrovets-unit-1-enters-commercial-operation|access-date=17 June 2021|website=www.world-nuclear-news.org}} The construction and commissioning process has been accompanied by a series of controversies.
History
= Planning =
In the 1980s there were plans to build a nuclear heating and power plant in Rudensk, about {{convert|50|km}} south of Minsk. Following the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, these plans were halted.{{cite web |url=http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/overview.htm |title=Belarus: Nuclear Power Reactors in Belarus |publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiative |access-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081014090445/http://nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/overview.htm |archive-date=14 October 2008}}
The plant was to comprise two VVER-1000 nuclear reactors, designed to provide both electricity and heat for the city of Minsk. The reactors would each have had a power rating of 900 MW net and 940 MW gross capacity.{{cite web | url = http://www.iaea.org/cgi-bin/db.page.pl/pris.prdeta.htm?country=BY&refno=106 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604161945/http://www.iaea.org/cgi-bin/db.page.pl/pris.prdeta.htm?country=BY&refno=106
| url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 June 2011 | title = Nuclear Power Reactor Details – MINSK-1 (Dual Purpose) | publisher = IAEA | access-date = 12 March 2011}}{{cite web | url = http://www.iaea.org/cgi-bin/db.page.pl/pris.prdeta.htm?country=BY&refno=107 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110604162006/http://www.iaea.org/cgi-bin/db.page.pl/pris.prdeta.htm?country=BY&refno=107 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 June 2011 | title = Nuclear Power Reactor Details – MINSK-2 | publisher = IAEA | access-date = 12 March 2011}}
The nuclear initiative was revitalized after Belarus gained independence from the Soviet Union. On 22 December 1992, Belarus announced its intention to build nuclear power plants and started a program to examine 15 possible sites. It was foreseen that the first unit of 500-600 MW would be commissioned by 2005, and additional units with a combined capacity of 1,000 MW by 2005 and 2010. However, no decision concerning site or reactor type was made. In 1999, the Government of Belarus adopted a nuclear moratorium, but preparations for the construction of a nuclear power plant were carried on.
On 2 May 2002, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated that Belarus would not construct a nuclear power plant on its territory, but was interested in purchasing nuclear power from Russia, and in the possibility of constructing a Belarus-owned reactor at the Smolensk nuclear power plant in Russia.{{cite news | url = http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/develop.htm | title = Lukashenka against NPP construction Belarus | publisher = Nuclear Threat Initiative | date = 2 May 2002 | access-date = 3 August 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080705145333/http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/belarus/facils/develop.htm | archive-date = 5 July 2008
| url-status = dead }}
However, in mid 2006, the Government of Belarus approved a plan for the construction of an initial 2000 MWe nuclear power plant in the Mahilyow Voblast using pressurized water reactors technology.{{cite web | url = http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf102.html | title = Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries | date= 4 March 2011 | publisher = World Nuclear Association | access-date=12 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110319003845/http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/inf102.html| archive-date= 19 March 2011 | url-status= live}}
After the Russia-Belarus energy dispute in 2007, Lukashenko re-declared that to ensure national energy security, Belarus needed to build its own nuclear power plant.{{cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7039403.stm | title = Belarus to 'build nuclear plant' | work = BBC News | date = 11 October 2007 | access-date = 3 August 2008}} In June 2007, Russia offered a US$2 billion credit line for the purchasing of equipment from Russia's Power Machines Company.{{cite news | url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=13548&LangType=2057 | title = Belarus nuclear plant gets Russian credit | work = World Nuclear News | date = 12 June 2007 | access-date = 21 April 2012}}
On 12 November 2007, a decree defining the organizations responsible for preparing the construction of the nuclear power plant was signed. The Belarusian Security Council made the decision to construct a nuclear power plant on 15 January 2008.{{cite news |url=http://cep.ut.ac.ir/en/pages/news/714.htm |archive-url= https://archive.today/20121219120716/http://cep.ut.ac.ir/en/pages/news/714.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=19 December 2012 |title=Belarus makes final decision to build nuclear power plant |date=15 January 2008 |agency=ITAR-TASS |access-date=21 February 2008}}
The Nuclear Power Act, covering the design and construction of nuclear facilities, the security, safety, and physical protection of such facilities, and their regulation (and also prohibiting the production of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosives), was adopted by the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus on 25 June 2008.{{cite news | url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/IT-Belarus_adopts_nuclear_energy_law-2506088.html | title = Belarus adopts nuclear energy law | work = World Nuclear News | date = 25 June 2008 | access-date = 3 August 2008}}
The location of the construction site some {{convert|18|km}} away from Astravyets in Hrodna Voblast, {{convert|45|km|mi}} from Vilnius, Lithuania,{{cite news
|url=http://news.belta.by/en/news/society?id=322357 |title=Nuclear power plant construction project in line with international norms |publisher=BELTA |date=15 January 2009 |access-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706162832/http://news.belta.by/en/news/society?id=322357
|archive-date=6 July 2011}}{{cite news | url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2008/03/03/ic_articles_116_155846/ | script-title=ru:Белорусскую АЭС могут построить в Гродненской области |trans-title=Belarusian nuclear power plant may be built in the Grodno Voblast | publisher = Belarusian News | date = 3 March 2008 | access-date = 3 August 2008 | language = ru}} was chosen on 20 December 2008.{{cite news |url= https://atom.belta.by/en/dosie_en/view/belarusian-nuclear-power-plant-project-ntimeline-208/
|title= Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant Project: Timeline |agency=BELTA |date=4 June 2014 |access-date=25 September 2020}}
Alternative sites were Chyrvo, Bykhaw ,{{cite news | url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/society/2007/04/18/ic_articles_116_150553/ | script-title=ru:Мирный атом выгонит бабу Ганну из дому
|trans-title=Peaceful atom drives baba Anna out from home | publisher = Belarusian News | date = 18 April 2007 | access-date = 3 August 2008 | language = ru}} and Kukshynava between Horki and Shkloŭ in Mahilyow Voblast.
{{cite news | url = http://naviny.by/rubrics/economic/2007/12/11/ic_articles_113_154412/ | script-title=ru:Белорусскую АЭС могут построить под самым боком у России |trans-title=Belarusian nuclear power plant may be built a very sideways of Russia | publisher = Belarusian News | date = 11 December 2007 | access-date = 3 August 2008 | language = ru}}
In January 2009, it was decided that the nuclear power plant would be built by Atomstroyexport, the nuclear equipment exporter branch of the Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Russian loan was agreed in February 2009.
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2009/02/06/ic_news_259_305905/
|title=Russia to provide loans to Belarus for construction of nuclear power plant
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=6 February 2009 |access-date=19 February 2009 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090408023953/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2009/02/06/ic_news_259_305905/
|archive-date=8 April 2009}}
The contract was signed in 2011.
{{cite news
|url=http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=607532
|title=Basic agreement with Russia on NPP construction to be signed in Q1 2011
|publisher=BELTA
|date=20 January 2011 |access-date=12 March 2011 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706163717/http://news.belta.by/en/news/econom?id=607532
|archive-date=6 July 2011}}
= Construction =
In June 2012 the construction of the foundation pit for the nuclear power plant started near the small village of Shulniki in Astravets District, Hrodna Region, some {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on|order=flip}} from the Lithuanian border.{{cite news | url = http://en.belapan.com/archive/2012/06/13/en_media_aes/ | title = Foundation pit for nuclear power plant starts being dug in Astravets district | publisher = BelaPAN | date = 13 June 2012 | access-date = 13 July 2013}}
Both in March and April 2013 journalists were not permitted to visit the construction site. In March 2013 Radio Svaboda's correspondent Mikhail Karnevich received official permission to make a report about the construction of the power plant. But when he came to Astravets, he found out that he would not be able to visit the construction site.{{cite news | url = http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2013/3/21/66902/ | title = Independent journalist not let to nuclear power plant's construction site | publisher = Charter 97 | date = 21 March 2013 | access-date = 13 July 2013}}
In April 2013 journalists Ales Barazenka and Nastaśsia Jaūmien were detained in Astravets where they were filming the nuclear power plant construction and were asked an "intelligible explanation to the fact of filming the construction works".
{{cite news
|url=http://belsat.eu/en/wiadomosci/a,13690,nuclear-power-plant-in-astravets-shooting-forbidden.html
|title=Nuclear power plant in Astravets: shooting forbidden
|publisher=Belsat TV
|date=26 April 2013 |access-date=13 July 2013 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130516030559/http://belsat.eu/en/wiadomosci/a%2C13690%2Cnuclear-power-plant-in-astravets-shooting-forbidden.html
|archive-date=16 May 2013 }}
The first nuclear concrete for Unit 1 was poured on 6 November 2013.{{cite news
| url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-Belarus-reactor-under-construction-0711134.html
| title = First Belarus reactor under construction
| work = World Nuclear News
| date = 7 November 2013
| access-date = 7 November 2013}}
The construction of the second unit began 8 months later. Construction of each unit was expected to take about five years.{{cite news
| url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/NN-First-concrete-for-second-Belarus-unit-0306144.html
| title = First concrete for second Belarus unit
| work = World Nuclear News
| date = 3 June 2014
| access-date = 3 June 2014}}
In November 2015, Lithuania informed that there is no possibility to reserve power of the Kruonis Pumped Storage Plant, aside from emergency case, for the Belarusian nuclear power plant.[http://www.delfi.lt/verslas/energetika/lietuva-nesuteiks-baltarusijai-galimybes-naudotis-kruonio-hae.d?id=69566152 Lietuva nesuteiks Baltarusijai galimybės naudotis Kruonio HAE]
In February 2016, the 330-tonne, 13-meter high, 4.5 meters diameter, reactor vessel (which was the first reactor produced by Atommash after a 29-year hiatus) was delivered to the site.
{{cite news
| url = http://belsat.eu/en/news/russia-made-reactor-vessel-for-astravets-npp-arrives-in-belarus/
| title = Russia-made reactor vessel for Astravets NPP arrives in Belarus
| publisher = Belsat TV
| date = 22 February 2016
| access-date = 25 February 2016}}
According to press reports, it took Atommash 840 days (2 years and 4 months) to build the reactor; it was shipped from the plant on 14 October 2015. After being transported by barge over the Tsimlyansk Reservoir, the Volga–Don Canal, the Volga–Baltic Waterway, and the Volkhov River to Novgorod, the reactor was then shipped by a special rail car to the Astravyets railway station near the plant.
{{cite news
| url = http://www.ng.ru/energy/2016-01-12/15_aes.html
| title = В Белоруссию привезли первый реактор для строящейся АЭС
| trans-title = The first reactor for the nuclear power plant under construction has been delivered to Belarus
| newspaper = Nezavisimaya Gazeta
| first = Igor | last = Plugatarev
| date = 12 January 2016
| access-date = 25 September 2020
| language = ru}}
=Commissioning=
In December 2019, the first unit started hot trials, checking the reactor unit under hot conditions, but with dummy fuel rods placed in the reactor.{{cite news
| url = https://belarusfeed.com/belnpp-first-unit-begins-hot-trials/
| title = Prelaunch Operations In Progress As BelNPP First Unit Begins Hot Trials
| work = BelarusFeed
| date = 11 December 2019
| access-date = 25 September 2020
| archive-date = 28 December 2020
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201228223447/https://belarusfeed.com/belnpp-first-unit-begins-hot-trials/
| url-status = dead
}} These tests were completed by April 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Hot-tests-completed-at-Ostrovets-unit-1 |title=Hot tests completed at Ostrovets unit 1 | work = World Nuclear News |date=16 April 2020 |access-date=3 May 2020}} In February, the plant was inspected by the IAEA.{{Cite web|date=24 September 2020|title=IAEA Delivers INIR Mission Reports to Belarus and Egypt|url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/iaea-delivers-inir-mission-reports-to-belarus-and-egypt|access-date=10 November 2020|website=www.iaea.org}} Fuel loading for the first unit started on 7 August.{{Cite news | title=Fuel loading starts at Belarusian reactor |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Fuel-loading-starts-at-Belarusian-NPP | date = 7 August 2020 |access-date=8 August 2020| work = World Nuclear News}} On 11 October, Unit 1 achieved first criticality.{{Cite web | title=Ostrovets plant begins physical start-up |url=https://energycentral.com/news/ostrovets-plant-begins-physical-start | date = 12 October 2020| website=energycentral.com |access-date=13 October 2020}} The reactor started supplying electricity on 3 November{{Cite news | title=Belarus grid-connects its first nuclear unit |url=https://world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Belarus-grid-connects-its-first-nuclear-unit | date = 3 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020| work = World Nuclear News}} and was officially connected to the grid on 7 November.{{cite news |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/belarus-akw-101.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108031301/https://www.tagesschau.de/ausland/belarus-akw-101.html |archive-date=8 Nov 2020 |work=Tagesschau |title=Belarus' erstes AKW geht ans Netz |language=de |trans-title=Belarus' first atomic power plant is on the grid |date=7 Nov 2020 |first=Christina |last=Nagel}} Testing in January 2021 resulted in disconnection from the grid.{{Cite web|url=https://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2021-01-belaruss-nuclear-plant-goes-offline-after-new-mishap|title = Belarus's nuclear plant goes offline after new mishap|date = 18 January 2021}} Astravets NPP was issued an operating license on 2 June and entered commercial operation eight days later.
Criticality of Unit 2 was first announced on 26 April 2022.{{Cite news | title=На Белорусской АЭС запустили второй энергоблок |url=https://ria.ru/20220426/aes-1785472392.html | date = 26 April 2022 |access-date=26 April 2022| work = RIA Novosti}} It started supplying electricity in May 2023 and entered commercial operation on 1 November.{{Cite news |title=Second Belarus unit enters commercial operation |url=https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/Articles/Second-Belarus-unit-enters-commercial-operation |date=2023-11-02 |access-date=2023-11-03 |work=World Nuclear News}}
Technical description
The nuclear power plant costs up to US$11 billion.
{{cite news
|url= http://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belarusian-nuclear-power-plant-construction-to-cost-up-to-11bn-105815-2017/
|title= Belarusian nuclear power plant construction to cost up to $11bn
|agency=BELTA
|date=12 October 2017
|access-date=25 September 2020}}
In addition, there are investments to upgrade the national power grid for power transmission from the nuclear power plant,
{{cite news
|url= http://www.atom.belta.by/en/belaes_en/view/belarusian-nuclear-power-plants-power-output-system-to-commission-in-2018-9261/
|title= Belarusian nuclear power plant's power output system to commission in 2018
|agency=BELTA
|date=12 October 2017
|access-date=25 September 2020}}
and the construction of an urban settlement for the power plant's workers. Repayment of the $10 billion loan would start no later than April 2021. Half the loan was at a fixed 5.23% interest rate and the other half at the six-month Libor dollar rate plus 1.83%. In 2020 Belarus requested an extension of the repayment period from 25 to 35 years.{{cite news |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsfinance-discussed-as-unit-1-of-belarus-npp-prepares-for-start-up-7773070 |title=Finance discussed as unit 1 of Belarus NPP prepares for start-up |publisher=Nuclear Engineering International |date=14 February 2020 |access-date=18 February 2020}}
The preparation, design and exploration works were overseen by a Directorate for the Construction of a Nuclear Power Plant, established under the Ministry of Energy. The Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department, part of the Emergencies Ministry, is acting as the state nuclear regulator and licensing authority.
{{cite news
| url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/Belarus_gets_organized_for_nuclear_plant-151107.shtml
| title = Belarus gets organized for nuclear plant
| work = World Nuclear News
| date = 15 November 2007
| access-date = 3 August 2008
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924062936/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/industry/Belarus_gets_organized_for_nuclear_plant-151107.shtml
| archive-date=24 September 2008}}
Scientific support for the project is provided by the United Power & Nuclear Research Institute Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The state-owned power engineering industry research and design institute Belnipienergoprom was the general designer of the plant and operates as the project management company, negotiating and signing contracts with suppliers, carrying out feasibility studies and preparing tender documents. Yelena Mironova is the Head of the project management service.
Atomstroyexport was the contractor and supplier of the III generation VVER-1200 type reactors (AES-2006 model).
{{cite news
| url = http://www.powergenworldwide.com/index/display/articledisplay/351230/articles/power-engineering/projects-contracts/russian-company-to-build-belarusian-nuclear-power-plant.html
| title = Russian company to build Belarusian nuclear power plant
| publisher = PennWell Corporation
| work = Power-Gen Worldwide
| date = 23 January 2009
| access-date = 10 February 2009}}
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/07/30/ic_articles_259_158247/
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208181049/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/07/30/ic_articles_259_158247/
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=8 December 2012
|title=Russia's Atomstroiexport confirms participation in bidding for nuclear power plant
|author=Natallya Karotkaya
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=30 July 2008 |access-date=3 August 2008}}
{{cite news
| url = http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Belarus_To_Announce_Nuclear_Power_Planet_Tender_Soon_999.html
| title = Belarus To Announce Nuclear Power Planet Tender Soon
| publisher = Space Daily
| date = 29 June 2007
| access-date = 3 August 2008}}
The first two reactors have the combined capacity of around 2400 MW. It is possible that two additional reactors will be built by 2025.
Opposition
The nuclear power plant plans have raised several concerns. In 2008 opposition groups campaigned and collected signatures against the construction of a nuclear power plant in Belarus.
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/06/13/ic_news_259_292139/
|title=Group in Horki, Mahilyow region, said to have collected more than 2,500 signatures against nuclear power plant project
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=13 June 2008 |access-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615022228/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/06/13/ic_news_259_292139/
|archive-date=15 June 2008 }}
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/02/21/ic_news_259_286163/
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121203072026/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/02/21/ic_news_259_286163/
|url-status=dead
|archive-date=3 December 2012
|title=Campaigners to collect signatures against construction of nuclear power plant in Cherykaw district
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=21 February 2008 |access-date=3 August 2008 }}
In 2008 young members of the Belarusian People's Front have campaigned against possible Russian involvement in the construction of the plant and urged the Belarusian government to award the contract to build the nuclear power plant to a company based in a country other than Russia.
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/05/11/ic_news_259_290332/
|title=Opposition youths to campaign against Russia's involvement in construction of Belarusian nuclear power plant
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=11 May 2008 |access-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516105504/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/05/11/ic_news_259_290332/
|archive-date=16 May 2008 }}
Also in 2008 a group of Belarusian scientists founded a movement for a nuclear-free Belarus, claiming that the Belarusian government started preparations for the construction of the nuclear power plant before a moratorium adopted in 1999 was expired. The moratorium expired on 14 January 2009.
{{cite news
|url=http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/03/11/ic_media_259_1691/
|title=Video: Scientists come out against construction of nuclear power plant in Belarus
|publisher=Belarusian News
|date=11 March 2008 |access-date=3 August 2008 |url-status=dead
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513161612/http://naviny.by/rubrics/inter/2008/03/11/ic_media_259_1691/
|archive-date=13 May 2008 }}
On 1 July 2009, a Ukrainian NGO sent a complaint to the Implementation Committee of the Espoo Convention alleging numerous violations of the Espoo Convention. In particular, the complaint argues that Belarus is in violation of the requirements of the convention by pre-defining two key alternatives of the nuclear power plant construction – location and no-action alternative, as well as by not establishing an environmental impact assessment procedure that permits public participation.
{{cite web
| url = http://www.rac.org.ua/index.php?id=106&L=1
| title = Complaint about Belarus NPP under Espoo Convention
| publisher = Resource & Analysis Center "Society and Environment"
| access-date = 12 March 2011}}
In December 2009 European ECO Forum Legal Focal Points submitted a complaint to the Compliance Committee of the Aarhus Convention challenging the legality of NPP construction due to violation of public participation rights provided by the Aarhus Convention.
{{cite web
| url = http://www.unece.org/env/pp/compliance/Compliance%20Committee/44TableBelarus.htm
| title = Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters
| publisher = UNECE
| access-date = 12 March 2011}}
In 2014, the Espoo Convention parties found that Minsk had not fulfilled some of its obligations in the construction of the NPP.{{Cite press release |title=Safety of nuclear installations in Belarus |date=2016-05-30 |publisher=European Parliamentary Research Service |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2016/583789/EPRS_ATA(2016)583789_EN.pdf |access-date=2024-06-09 |last1=Bentzen |first1=Naja}}
In 2016, the European Parliamentary Research Service noted the construction of the NPP has sparked international concern, particularly from Lithuania, which has accused Belarus of violating the United Nations' Espoo and Aarhus Conventions. The European Union has also called on Belarus to ensure the highest international safety standards and conduct stress tests for the NPP, in line with its commitments made after the Fukushima nuclear accident.
Lithuania is a critic of the power plant and in 2018 announced its plan to boycott it.{{Cite web|url=https://en.delfi.lt/central-eastern-europe/lithuania-not-in-talks-with-belarus-on-electricity-from-n-plan.d?id=78985151|title = Lithuania not in talks with Belarus on electricity from N-plan}}{{Cite web|title=Lithuania upset over soon-to-open Belarus nuke plant|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/clarification-lithuania-belarus-nuclear-story-73925624|access-date=17 June 2021|website=ABC News}}{{Cite web|title=Belarus cranks up 1st nuclear plant; Lithuania is fearful|url=https://news.yahoo.com/belarus-cranks-1st-nuclear-plant-122609420.html|access-date=17 June 2021|website=news.yahoo.com|date=3 November 2020 }}
On 7 February 2019, the Meeting of the Parties to the Espoo Convention decided that Belarus had violated the convention in choosing a construction site for its nuclear power plant.
{{cite news
| url = https://en.delfi.lt/business/belarus-picked-site-for-ostravyets-npp-in-violation-of-convention-espo.d?id=80308063
| title = Belarus picked site for Ostravyets NPP in violation of convention – Espoo
| work = Delfi
| date = 7 February 2019
| access-date = 25 September 2020}}
On 11 February 2021, the European Parliament has adopted a resolution expressing serious concerns over the safety of the Ostrovets nuclear plant and has called for the suspension of its commercial launch. The Parliament criticized the hasty commissioning of the plant and the lack of transparency regarding the frequent emergency shutdowns of the reactor and equipment failures.{{Cite press release |title=MEPs call for suspension of the launch of the Belarus nuclear plant in Ostrovets |date=2021-02-11 |publisher=European Parliament |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20210204IPR97126/meps-call-for-suspension-of-the-launch-of-the-belarus-nuclear-plant-in-ostrovets |access-date=2024-06-09 |last1=Chatain |first1=Baptiste}}{{Cite web |date=2021-02-11 |title=European Parliament resolution of 11 February 2021 on the safety of the nuclear power plant in Ostrovets (Belarus) |url=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2021-0052_EN.html |access-date=2024-06-09 |publisher=European Parliament}}
In December 2021, investigative journalists, citing Cyber Partisans, announced that they had received documents where 18 thousand shortcomings of the first power unit were identified.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/ru/pocemu-belorusskuu-aes-tak-nadolgo-otklucaut/a-63955393|title=Почему Белорусскую АЭС так надолго отключают?|work=Deutsche Welle|date=2022-12-01|author=Дарья Бернштейн|language=ru}}
One of the independent commentators on the Astravets Nuclear Power Plant is Belarusian chemist and science journalist Siarhei Besarab. After the launch of the plant, Besarab published a number of analytical materials and commentaries in the media, in which he discussed questions related to the plant’s radiation and environmental safety systems, transparency, and compliance with international safety standards, his publications contributed to the public discussion about nuclear safety in Belarus.{{Cite news |last=Свабода |first=Радыё |date=2025-06-04 |title=Дыктатура і БелАЭС. Як улады ў Беларусі шкодзяць людзям і прыродзе праз атамную станцыю |url=https://www.svaboda.org/a/33429574.html |access-date=2025-06-26 |work=Радыё Свабода |language=be}}{{Cite web |title=Сергей Бесараб: Радиоактивное бремя ляжет на плечи беларусов на столетия |url=https://greenbelarus.info/articles/25-04-2025/sergey-bessarab-radioaktivnoe-bremya-lyazhet-na-plechi-belarusov-na-stoletiya |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Зелёный портал |language=ru}}{{Cite web |date=2024-03-30 |title=«Падарунак» дзясяткам пакаленняў. Як Беларусь будзе захоўваць ядзерныя адкіды са сваёй АЭС і ў чым адзіны яе шанец |url=https://nashaniva.com/339603 |access-date=2025-06-26 |website=Наша Ніва |language=be}}
Incidents
On 8 April 2016, an excessive amount of concrete for the plant's foundations was poured, resulting in the structural frame breaking down and its components collapsing.{{Cite web |date=2016-05-04 |title=Incident at Astravets NPP construction site: State-run mass media silent |url=https://belsat.eu/en/incident-at-astravets-npp-construction-site-state-run-mass-media-silent |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=belsat.eu |language=en}} According to an unnamed source, it was not the first incident to occur at the site.
On 10 July 2016, the reactor vessel for Unit 1 was accidentally dropped from a height of 4 meters while being moved around the construction site. Rosatom eventually agreed to swap the vessel with one intended for the Kaliningrad Nuclear Power Plant.{{Cite web|url=https://bellona.org/news/nuclear-issues/2017-05-rosatom-replaces-reactor-core-that-technicians-dropped-at-its-belarusian-plant|title=Rosatom replaces reactor vessel that technicians dropped at its Belarusian plant|date=2 May 2017}}
On 10 November 2020, the facility's output was suspended after several voltage transformers exploded.{{cite news |title=Belarusian Nuclear Plant Stops Electricity Output Three Days After Opening Ceremony |url= https://www.rferl.org/a/belarusian-nuclear-plant-stops-electricity-output-days-after-opening-ceremony/30940530.html |access-date=20 November 2020 |work=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |date=10 November 2020}} Repairs were completed within nine days and the plant was consequently reconnected to the grid.{{cite news |title=BelNPP reconnected to grid after equipment replacement |url=https://eng.belta.by/economics/view/belnpp-reconnected-to-grid-after-equipment-replacement-135123-2020/ |access-date=27 November 2020 |work=Belarusian Telegraph Agency |date=19 November 2020}}
See also
References
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{{Nuclear power by country}}
Category:Nuclear power stations in Belarus
Category:Nuclear power stations with reactors under construction