Cichanoŭskaja: launch of potentially faulty Unit 2 part of Łukašenka’s “nuclear blackmail”

April 3, BPN. The launch of the Belarusian nuclear power plant’s Unit 2, which may be “defective,” is another element of Alaksandr Łukašenka’s “nuclear blackmail,” opposition leader Śviatłana Cichanoŭskaja said.

“The construction and safety of the NPP was not discussed within our society or with neighboring countries. It puts all of Europe at risk of nuclear disaster,” the politician tweeted.

On March 25, the Belarusian Ministry of Energy said Unit 2 reached the minimum controlled output.

On March 31, media reported that the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs protested to the foreign ministry in Minsk about the expected launch of this facility. Vilnius demanded that the project be immediately suspended “until all nuclear safety issues identified by international missions and review processes are resolved.”

“Belarus prepares for the launch of the second defective power unit, keeping incidents and defects secret from the public, while the Russian President threatens to deploy nuclear weapons in Belarus. It shows dictatorships’ irresponsible treatment of nuclear power and poses a nuclear threat to the entire region,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.

The Belarusian NPP project is affected by such safety issues as “its impact on the environment and residents of Lithuania, ensuring a safety culture, and implementing international recommendations,” the Lithuanian foreign ministry said in a press release.

Belarus builds the nuclear power plant near Astraviec, Hrodna region, using Russian funds and Russian reactor VVER-1200. The general designer and general contractor is the ASE engineering company, the parent organization of Rosatom’s engineering division.

Pilot operation of the first unit began in November 2020, and commercial operation in June 2021.

The second power unit is 98 percent ready. It would be connected to the grid in April and put into commercial operation in October 2023.