Gosatomnadzor’s commentary on the Statement of the European Commission in relation to the issuance of a license for the operation of the Belarusian NPP Power Unit No. 1
In relation to the comment of the EU Commissioner for Energy Ms. Kadri Simson regarding the Belarusian NPP dated June 2, 2021, which was shared in the mass media, Gosatomnadzor informs about the following.
The licensing process for the operation of the Belarusian NPP Power Unit No. 1 was carried out in accordance with the Republic of Belarus legislative requirements, based on the IAEA safety standards. At the same time the operating organization demonstrated the fulfillment of the established requirements in a full scope, that was verified by the regulatory authority.
With regard to the activities following the results of the stress tests of the Belarusian NPP, Gosatomnadzor emphasizes that they are not a part of the licensing process. They are planned and are under implementation in the context of a commitment to continuous enhancement of safety and in order to increase the safety margins of the Belarusian NPP above the established requirements.
At the same time, within the framework of the first phase of the ENSREG Peer Review in relation to the National Action Plan Following the Results of Stress-tests of the Belarusian NPP (hereinafter – the National Action Plan), ENSREG Peer Review Team identified and analyzed 7 issues, the implementation of which is a priority before the start of the Belarusian NPP commercial operation. The ENSREG Preliminary report concludes that the Belarusian side has adequately addressed the recommendations of ENSREG 2018 related to the high priority issues.
Gosatomnadzor agrees with the thesis about the importance of fulfillment of all the recommendations from the ENSREG Peer Review Report of the results of the Belarusian NPP stress tests in 2018. The Department confirms the strong intention of the Belarusian side to implement all the ENSREG recommendations that were received as part of the stress tests, as well as the measures based on its own findings as part of the national assessment of the results of stress tests, within the time frame established by the National Action Plan.
Gosatomnadzor also confirms its readiness to continue and complete the second phase of the ENSREG Peer Review in relation to the National Action Plan, during which all remaining issues related to the implementation of the ENSREG recommendations following the results of the stress tests of the Belarusian NPP will be considered. Activities of the Peer Review second phase have already been started. In the period from May 17 to June 1 the representatives of the Belarusian side and ENSREG experts held the consultations in a video format. In the future the Republic of Belarus expects another visit of the ENSREG experts, the preparation, approval and publication of the Final Report on the Peer Review.