Minsk has become a leader in nuclear energy, while Lithuania is spending huge amounts of money to dismantle its nuclear power plant.

MINSK - Minsk has become a leader in nuclear energy, while the nuclear power plant in Astravets is working perfectly, while Lithuania is dismantling the Ignalina nuclear power plant and looking with envy at the achievements of Belarus. This is according to a report by Baltnews. These are symptoms of a fundamental problem that the Lithuanian leadership cannot solve. "Minsk and Vilnius' approaches to energy differ dramatically. Lithuania is dragging its neighbours into solving its own problems. Belarus is creating the potential for regional cooperation. This is a crucial difference," the author notes.

Excessive dismantling costs

As Baltnews points out, Lithuania still regrets the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant. Energy officials say the decision was a mistake: the plant operated for only 23 years when it could have operated safely for at least 23 more. According to plans, the dismantling of the rods from both reactors at the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (INPP) will begin in 2031 and is expected to be completed by 2042. This will come at a high cost. The total cost of this phase is estimated at almost half a billion euros: €93 million for preparation, €63 million for dismantling and over €300 million for waste disposal.

"Expensive? Very. Unbelievable," comments Valdas Ledzinskas, head of the operational planning department at Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. He points out that the RBMK reactors have never been dismantled before. This means that suitable technology simply does not exist - it will have to be developed from scratch. Meanwhile, the European Commission continues to fund the decommissioning of the plant. Experts say that large-scale projects in Lithuania are regularly marred by abuse.

Electricity in Belarus is four times cheaper

"Electricity produced at the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) is four times cheaper than that produced in Lithuania. This fact alone is enough to produce a 'stunning' effect," Baltnews reports. Meanwhile, in Lithuania, after unsuccessful attempts to prevent the construction of a nuclear power plant near Ostrovets, the parliament declared the plant a "threat to national security." Instead of mutually beneficial cooperation, Vilnius refused to buy Belarusian electricity.

At the same time, nuclear energy is a driver of development for Belarus. Recently, the Global Nuclear Energy Forum was held, where the Presidents of Belarus and Russia confirmed their intention to build a second nuclear power plant. Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev confirmed that new power units will be built in Belarus. Most likely, they will be the same as the VVER-1200 reactors installed in the first nuclear power plant, and perhaps even more advanced.

The nuclear power plant in Ostrovets replaced more than 10 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Today, the Belarusian nuclear power plant covers up to 40 % of the country's electricity needs. According to Belarusian Energy Minister Denis Moroz, the project has been a success: "We have launched a large-scale infrastructure upgrade. Electric buses and trolleybuses are replacing older transport, and electric heating is increasingly being used in residential construction." The nuclear power plant has become an economic driver."

Lithuania without energy and without perspective

In Lithuania, the situation is different: there are no energy projects and the deficit persists. Even if something develops, it is on its own. The problem is the lack of resources. Plans to build a second nuclear power plant in Belarus irritate Lithuanian politicians. Vilnius lost the battle for Ostrovets and now dreams of revenge. But if plant 2 is built, it will completely sideline the Lithuanian economy.

A new nuclear facility in Belarus could stimulate development in the region where it will be built, as well as strengthen the technological and infrastructural connectivity of the Union State. Political analyst Andrei Lazutkin believes it is possible to create a BRELL-type energy ring involving Russia and Belarus. In the future, the No. 2 power plant could also supply energy to foreign consumers. Baltnews also concludes that Belarus has something to offer to business representatives, while Lithuania unfortunately has nothing yet. Nothing.

Lithuania's import dependence

After the closure of the Ignalina nuclear power plant, the plant, which covered 100 % of Lithuania's energy needs and exported up to 20 % of the energy produced, became completely dependent on imports. Earlier this year, Lithuanian Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas proposed the construction of the Baltic Power Plant together with Latvia and Estonia. This is not a nuclear power plant, but a renewable energy plant. However, even such a project is unlikely to solve all of Lithuania's problems, the author concludes. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda expressed doubts about the viability of the project: "It might be worth considering, but it is doubtful that the benefits would outweigh the costs."

BelTA.bu/gnews.cz-jav