Leu Marholin: Belarusia Nuclear Power Plant Is Expensive And Unsafe Toy

Belarus does not need additional sources of electricity.

Deputy Prime Minister Uladzimir Siamashka says that Lithuania's call to block the electricity deliveries from BelNPP gives him "at least a smile". "When we were drafting the business plan, we noted that we were building the NPP not for export purposes, but for our own needs," – he states. It is interesting that Lukashenka said something absolutely opposite several years ago: "We will supply a significant part of the electricity to foreign markets."

The situation with the BelNPP was commented on to the Radio Racyja by economist Leu Marholin.

– In my opinion, such different statements are the consequences of the fact that both Poland and Lithuania have already announced their refusal to buy the BelNPP electricity. And on this background, Siamashka's statement about the export of electricity would look ridiculous. Perhaps, there is an option when the energy from this power plant goes to the domestic market, and the other ones export electricity, but this can only be discussed theoretically.

– Is it possible to talk about the economic effect of this project now?

– The experts are pretty convincing in proving that we do not have any need for a nuclear power plant. Therefore, I’m inclined to think that BelNPP is more of a toy for the authorities.

– Quite an expensive and dangerous toy...

– Absolutely. If there is no need for additional sources of electricity, it will be necessary to stop something else, since you cannot store excess energy in a warehouse. In a word, it’s quite a reckless project.