Belarusian nuclear power plant project now costs 4 times more

“We are building the nuclear power plant in order to make our economy competitive. The station will work for the economy of Belarus. If we have surpluses in Minsk and around the country and there is demand in the market, we could export. Indeed, we find it difficult to enter the external markets because of gas. It is getting more expensive, and we are not competitive," says Mikhail Mikhadyuk.

Let's take a look back to 2010. On the eve of the presidential election, the head of the state travels to Lithuania and...  

promises the electricity from the Ostrovets nuclear power plant to Lithuanians. It means there was demand in the external market then…

Alexander Lukashenka: "When we are going to build the nuclear power plant, please, let's do it together. Otherwise, if we alone build it, you will inevitably have to buy electricity from this station."

In the same year of 2010, the energy minister plans to increase exports of electricity by developing and reconstructing thermal networks. In other words, export is possible without a nuclear power plant, but it is not possible with it.

However, in 2010, Minister Mikhail Mikhadyuk proposes to export electricity to Poland.

Mikhadyuk: "We are negotiating with the Polish side the construction of an international grid. This project envisages creation of technical means for increasing electricity exports to the neighboring countries in the long-term perspective."

Even in the summer of 2012, there were plans to sell electricity from the Ostrovets nuclear power plant. Georgiy Grits, professor at Belarus State University and a deputy chairman of Belarusian Industrial Association, told a news briefing that he saw Belarus as an electricity exporter.

Georgiy Grits: "In the mid-term perspective, this project is interesting for Belarus. It will transform Belarus into an energy exporter."

What has changed over the past several months?… The energy export plans reminds the growth of the price tage for the future nuclear power plant.

In 2005, Anatol Yakushev, deputy chairman of Sosny nuclear research center, called the price of the culear power plant at $2,5 – 3 billion.

One year after, Mikhail Myasnikovich raised the price tag up to $3.5 billion. One more year after, Finance Minister Mikalai Korbut revealed the price of $4 billion.

In 2009, we asked $9 billion from Russia to build the nuclear power plant in order "to lessen Belarus' dependence on Russian energy resources". But, since the station will be built by the Russians, they will sell nuclear fuel. Is this the way we reduce our dependence on Russia?

In 2012, Alexander Lukashenka said Belarus took a loan worth of $10 billion for the construction of the nuclear power plant, thus showing a 4-time increase in costs over the past 7 years.

Photo: NPP trailer at Belarusian Statehood Museum