Belarus demanded compensation from Russia due to the delay in launching the Bel NPP

Belarus asked Russia about the payment of compensation due to the commissioning of Bel NPP at a later date. This was stated by the authoritarian leader of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko.

According to him, the terms of putting the NPP into operation have shifted because of the Russian side.

“Naturally, according to the contract, we asked them about compensation. There is no need to hide it. There was nothing extraordinary. But such questions were raised because the deadlines for commissioning the station were violated, and the Russian side is responsible for this,” – said Lukashenko.

He also added that Russia offered as compensation for the sale of nuclear fuel “as is for its stations” and a five-year guarantee for the main components.

Belorusskaya NPP is located in the Grodno region. In November 2020, Alexander Lukashenko officially opened the station after the completion of the construction of the first power unit. In November 2022, the publication “Zerkalo” wrote that during the first two years of operation, the Bel NPP was idle for more than half of the time. In total, it generated a little more than half of the amount of electricity planned for one hour.

For the construction of the station, which was presented as a way to escape energy dependence, Belarus owes Russia a loan of 10 billion dollars. Russia is also a supplier of fuel for the station.

The second power unit was connected to the network in July of this year, but it has not yet been put into commercial operation.