Builders Escape from the Belarusian NPP

Now the construction site lacks about 800 workers and specialists.

The construction of the Belarusian NPP falls behind the schedule because of the lack of staff. Skilled specialists leave, because of significant reduction of wages, naviny.by writes.

It is reported in November newsletter of the Account Chamber of the Russian Federation. The Russian Office together with the State Control Committee of Belarus followed the construction progress of the Belarusian NPP this May-September.

The monitoring showed that over the past year the general contractor - Atomstrojexport - had failed to comply with the schedule. Construction and installation works were 80% and equipment supply 90% completed.

"The failure to comply with the schedule is caused both by Belarusian and Russian builders," the newsletter says.

Now the failure to comply with the schedule at the first power unit is the main problem. It equals to 1-3 months. Furthermore, the delay on the reactor compartment is 2-3 months; on the turbine house, the nuclear service building, ventilation pipe and diesel power station is 2 months; the pumping station is up to 2.5 months.

There is no additional time to build up reactor vessels and the turbine, which defines the entire construction period.

The lack of staff at the site is the main reason for schedule delay.

"Now the construction site lacks about 800 people," inspection bodies note.

They note the outflow of skilled and experienced staff is caused by wage cuts almost by half. Contractors had to take such measures due to difficult financial state caused by, among other things, the devaluation of the Russian ruble.

"In 2015 RUP Belenergstroj had almost complete shake-up," the newsletter says.