License for the Operation of Belarusian NPP Power Unit No. 1 is issued

On June 2, 2021, the Board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus made a positive decision to amend the license of the State Enterprise “Belarusian NPP” for the right to carry out activities in the field of atomic energy use, allowing the commencement of commercial operation of power unit No. 1.

This decision is based on the conclusion of Gosatomnadzor, the positive results of the review of documents justifying safety (safety review), and the assessment of the applicant's compliance with the licensing requirements and conditions (assessment of compliance), which, in accordance with the legislation, are an integral part of the licensing process in the field of atomic energy use.

The safety review was carried out by the State Scientific Institution “Joint Institute for Energy and Nuclear Research – Sosny” of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus under the terms of reference of Gosatomnadzor, the assessment of compliance was carried out by Gosatomnadzor itself.

Before the Board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations considered issuing the license, Gosatomnadzor held a public hearing on April 30, 2021. Gosatomnadzor informed the public on the progress and results of the safety review and assessment of compliance. The comments made during the public hearings and the questions raised were taken into account when preparing a decision on the issuance of the license by the Ministry for Emergency Situations Board.

The Head of Gosatomnadzor Olga Lugovskaya noted that “issuance of the license for the Belarusian NPP unit No. 1 operation is a historic event that crowns many years of work by all interested parties, including by the regulatory body, to create a modern nuclear and radiation safety infrastructure in our country. We have come a long way in which safety has always been and remains the highest priority”.