OREANDA-NEWS. On January 09, 2007 Belarus has set up a directorate responsible for construction of the nuclear power plant. In line with resolution #1868 of the Council of Ministers the directorate is subordinate to the Ministry of Energy, reported the Official website www.government.by.

The directorate will act as a customer of design and exploration work conducted for the construction of the nuclear power plant.

Adopted in pursuance of presidential decree #565 of November 12, 2007 “On some measures for construction of the nuclear power plant” resolution #1868 introduces amendments to the resolution on the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Belarus.

The Government empowered the Ministry of Energy to coordinate activities on construction of the nuclear power plant in Belarus.

The construction is set to be launched in 2008. Now the organization of the international tender for the construction and selection of the building site are underway.

The 2,000 mW nuclear power plant will make a significant contribution to strengthening of the country’s energy security by making it possible to save about five billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. The prime cost of power energy generate by a nuclear power plant is twice as low as the cost of energy generated by heat power plants.