BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

12/07/2007

Belarusian Nuclear Plant Risks Going Underground

Belarusian officials warn that the construction of the country's first nuclear power station could be in jeopardy after chalk deposits have been discovered on the site. Experts say that the soil perhaps would not sustain the weight of the nuclear reactor.

"The site for the future nuclear stations has chalk deposits, and there are doubts if the soil would sustain the weight of the reactor," said Alexey Shcheglov, chief of the Belarusian nuclear power watchdog. He added that the Ukrainians had similar problems constructing the Khmelnitskaya nuclear plant which have been resolved.

"The chalk deposits are 30 meters underground," Mr. Shcheglov said. "Some 11,000 wells have been drilled to pump in concrete."

He also refuted reports that construction at the Krasnopolyansky site has already begun. "A final decision has not been made," the official said. Alexey Shcheglov also said that Belarus is now in talks with Russian counterparts for a joint project.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and other officials have repeatedly declared plans to build the first nuclear power station in the country. Some reports said that the plant may be situated in a region bordering on Russia. Unofficial sources said it could be launched in 2015.

Source:

http://www.kommersant.com/p-10995/Belarus_Nuclear_Power/