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Belarusian Nuclear Power costly and dangerous

Belarusian Nuclear Power Project: Dangerous and Expensive
BIELAR.US 8 Sept 09 “…………a nuclear plant built by Russia on a Russian loan, serviced by Russian technicians and fed with Russian fuel might be a very good deal for Russia, but will hardly make Belarus more independent.

Moreover, the new nuclear plant would supply only 25 percent of Belarus energy needs and would begin operation in 2016 or later, even according to the most optimistic prognoses. What will happen to the high-level radioactive waste from the power plant is still unclear, but in solving this problem, Belarus would most likely also have to rely on Russia (although currently neither Russia nor Ukraine permit the import of radioactive waste)………..

the track record of Russian power stations is far from comforting. …….

In the midst of financial crisis and borrowing left and right, Belarusian government seems oblivious to the costs of the nuclear power plant – up to $12 billion not counting the expenses on a spent fuel storage facility. For comparison, Belarus’ annual budget in 2008 was about $25 billion. The loan to finance the project will probably come from Russia since Belarusian financial system is just as poorly diversified as its energy………..

….Astravets is far from being an ideal location for a nuclear power plant due to its wind rose and seismic instabilities in the area. In 1909, the region experienced an earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale. The most recent earthquake occurred in 1999.

Belarusian Nuclear Power Project: Dangerous and Expensive | Bielar.us – Blog on Belarusian Affairs in Washington, D.C. and beyond

September 8, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | 1, Belarus, business and costs | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radioactive, uranium