
As the first nuclear power plant in Belarus, the Ostrovsky Nuclear Power Plant is equipped with two VVER-1200 reactors. According to the general contract signed in 2011, Unit 1 started construction in November 2013, and Unit 2 started construction in May 2014. Unit 1 was connected to the grid for power generation in November 2020, and Unit 2 was put into commercial operation on November 1, 2023. The annual power generation of the power station is about 18.5 billion kilowatt hours, equivalent to replacing 4.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas, creating approximately 550 million US dollars in economic benefits for Belarus every year.
At present, the power station needs to shut down and replace fuel every year for maintenance. Extending the fuel cycle cycle will reduce the number of shutdowns, improve power generation and operational efficiency. As a subsidiary of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation, TVEL is promoting this work through pilot projects. TVEL President Natalia Nikipelova stated during the Minsk talks, "We confirm that we will provide new nuclear fuel technology solutions (18-24 month cycle) to our Belarusian partners to improve the operational efficiency of nuclear power plants in Belarus." The Belarusian delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankovic.
The two sides also discussed the construction plan of national nuclear waste disposal facilities, with a focus on site selection evaluation and key work for 2025, including building design schemes and long-term safety assessments. Belarus will conduct a feasibility study in 2024 to evaluate the options of building a second nuclear power plant or adding a third unit in Ostrowitz.



