Belarus preparing two technical cooperation projects with IAEA for 2026-2027

MINSK. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Belarus and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are making preparations for two new technological cooperation projects in 2026-2027, the Belarusian Energy Ministry's press service said following a visit by Programme Management Officer at the IAEA Department of Technical Cooperation Azat Nurken to the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BelNPP).

"Now they [the projects] are at the development stage. Together with our Belarusian partners and representatives of the agency, we will hold a number of meetings to develop work plans for these projects," Nurken was quoted by the press service as saying.

He identified nuclear medicine and in particular using nuclear technologies in the fight against cancer as one of the topical areas of the technical cooperation. "There are capacities to support Belarus in this area, including training of medical personnel," he said.

The IAEA is currently implementing joint projects with the Belarusian Energy Ministry, BelNPP, the Emergency Situations Ministry, the Healthcare Ministry and the country's national center for hydrometeorology, radioactive pollution control, and environmental monitoring Belgidromet, he said.

"This is a state-of-the-art facility with competent and professional staff," Nurken said at the end of his visit to the plant.

BelNPP is located near the city of Ostrovets, Grodno region. The plant consists of two Russian-designed VVER-1200 power units. The general contractor is the Rosatom group's ASE. A $10 billion Russian government loan was raised to finance the project. The first power unit of the BelNPP was connected to the network in November 2020 with commercial launch in June 2021. The second was connected in May 2023 with commercial launch on November 1.