United markets and operation of the Belarusian NPP. How Belarus and the Russian Federation will continue to cooperate in energy

Energy Minister of Belarus Viktor Karankevich spoke about plans for cooperation with the Russian Federation in an interview with the “Conversation with the President” program on the Belarus 1 TV channel.

“We continue to work with our Russian colleagues to form common markets for gas and electricity. A draft interstate agreement on electricity has been prepared. It was agreed upon with our Russian colleagues and was approved by government bodies, and was submitted to the Council of Ministers in the prescribed manner. Work is also actively underway to agree on the rules for the functioning of the common electricity market. By the end of the year we must complete the work on preparing an agreed draft of this document,” said Viktor Karankevich.

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According to him, gas price conditions for 2023-2025 have been determined. “In the future, it is necessary to agree on the operating principles of the common gas market, as well as the operating conditions of business entities after 2025. The most important task is further rapprochement and reaching equal conditions for the subjects of the two countries. And, accordingly, increasing the competitiveness of not only Belarus, but also the Union State as a whole, the possibility of joint entry into the markets of third countries,” the minister added.

After the completion of the BelNPP construction, cooperation with Rosatom will not stop. “Our relationship will only expand. If we take the nuclear power plant itself, then these are issues of technical support, scientific support, and operation of the Belarusian NPP. Together we are developing coordinated approaches aimed at further mutually beneficial cooperation. In particular, an agreement was signed on the possibility of joint formation and use of safety stock and repair exchange fund between the Rosenergoatom concern and the BelNPP. This will facilitate the prompt resolution of issues related to the operation of the facility. An extension of the warranty period for equipment is also being considered,” the head of the Ministry of Energy noted.

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All these issues of cooperation with Rosatom will be fixed in a separate protocol. “The corresponding draft protocol on amendments to the intergovernmental agreement on the construction of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has already been prepared,” Viktor Karankevich noted.

Cooperation on issues of radioactive waste management is also relevant. “It is important for us to study Russian experience, technologies and consider the possibility of application in Belarus,” the minister added.