Lukashenko again raises issue of second nuclear power plant in Belarus

MINSK. July 2 (Interfax) - The construction of a second nuclear power plant in Belarus would not lead to a surplus of electricity, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.

"We are considering the construction of a second nuclear power plant. Having electric energy will never hurt. There will never be a surplus of it in the country," the state BelTA news agency quoted him as saying as he heard a report from the head of his executive office, Dmitry Krutoi and the Belarusian ambassador to Russia, Alexander Rogozhnik.

He said electricity was needed not only by industry or for everyday uses. "We are building houses with electric heating. And electric vehicles, which we've turned our attention to in earnest. We've done more than just the groundwork - we have good factories, especially for buses and trolleybuses. Electricity is needed everywhere. So we need to look ahead," he said.

The nuclear plant that Belarus has built has generated almost 32 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity - enough to replace 8.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas - since being connected to the grid on November 3, 2020. Its two power units are now operating at full capacity. Electricity consumption in Belarus rose 6.6% in 2023 and nearly 10% in January-May 2024.

The nuclear plant was built with a Russian state loan of $10 billion. Lukashenko has on several occasions raised the issue of building a second plant, which he says could be financed with saved loan funds.