Rosatom: Downfallen Belarusian NPP Reactor Is In Excellent Condition

The Russian side agreed to replace the reactor, only yielding the pressure of public opinion in Belarus.

The issue of the Belarusian nuclear power plant reactor vessel’s replacement will be decided in due course.

Rosatom Director General Sergei Kiriyenko told media about that on 27 September, BelTA informs.

He said that the Belarusian colleagues actually requested the replacement of the reactor vessel, which had fallen down during the trial installation, and they would replace it. Despite this incident, Kiriyenko considers the reactor vessel to be fully operative and says it can be used at other projects. According to the head of Rosatom, there will be no additional costs, except for the transportation of the reactor.

The Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation is the Astravets nuclear power plant construction contractor.

Sergei Kiriyenko reminded that Belarus suffered most from the Chernobyl accident, which may influence the public opinion on nuclear power matters. He stressed that he understands the concerns related not only to technical issues but also to public acceptance of the project. “We respect the decisions of our Belarusian colleagues and understand that they can be explained more by the public opinion than technical requirements,” – the Rosatom head added.