Belarus plans to start building nuclear plant next year

Belarus plans to start building its first nuclear power plant next year. The first reactor is expected to be put into service in 2013-2014 with the second reactor to become operational by 2015.

Their total output capacity will total 1,000 MWatts. Two more reactors are planned to be added by 2025, said Uladzimir Cimaspolski, the deputy chairman of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

In 2007, Belarus is to finalize theoretical preparations and pick a strategic contractor and begin negotiations with the technology and equipment suppliers, reports the Belarusian government-owned news agency BELTA.