Rosatom and NAS of Belarus Discuss Nuclear Technologies Development Prospects

On 20 November 2018, the Presidium building of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus in Minsk saw a seminar entitled the Centre for Nuclear Research and Technologies Based on a Multifunctional Research Nuclear Reactor in the Republic of Belarus: Social, Economic, Scientific and Technological Aspects.

Representatives of the republic's ministries, specialised institutions and R&D organisations alongside with the State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM delegates took part in the event.
Currently, Rosatom and the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus are considering a joint project that envisages the design, construction and operation of a Centre for Nuclear Research and Technologies Based on a Multifunctional Research Nuclear Reactor in the Republic of Belarus. The Centre will comprise a 20-megawatt multi-purpose research pool-type nuclear reactor, a radiochemical facility to handle the medical isotopes produced in the research reactor, a material science facility for post irradiation examination of structural materials and samples, a division for nuclear doping of silicon and an engineering and technology facility.

In their welcome speeches, academician Sergei Chizhik, First Deputy Chairman, Presidium of the NASB, and Evgeny Pakermanov, President, Rusatom Overseas, stressed the importance of partnership between the two countries in the Belarusian NPP construction and spoke about the prospects of the nuclear technologies development project at the modern Centre for Nuclear Research and Technologies. Sergei Chizhik pointed out that the Republic of Belarus has vast expertise in nuclear reactor operation. “The construction of a new reactor and a corresponding R&D centre will significantly improve operational efficiency and safety of the Belarusian NPP currently under construction. The centre will enable us to train NPP specialists, carry out a series of research in the nuclear energy sector, manufacture highly sought radioisotope products, and improve radiation control and environmental monitoring,” he said.

According to Evgeny Pakermanov, the construction of the Centre for Nuclear Research and Technologies Based on a Multifunctional Research Nuclear Reactor in the Republic of Belarus will create opportunities for the further development of a number of economic sectors, such as healthcare, heavy industry and agriculture. ”Rosatom has significant expertise in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and modernization of research reactors, and we expect that agreements will be reached in the near future to build the Centre in the Republic of Belarus”, he stressed.

For reference:
Rosatom has vast expertise in the design, construction, operation, maintenance and modernisation of research reactors and other nuclear research and technology centres: more than 120 nuclear research reactors have been built with Rosatom’s support. 22 projects of research reactor centres have been delivered across the globe, namely in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Egypt, Poland, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and in other countries. Currently, Rosatom operates about 20% of all research reactors in the world.