MINSK, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Belarus is going to build a third unit at the Ostrovets Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Karankevich said on Friday.
Following a meeting with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, Karankevich announced that a decision had been made to construct a third unit at the Ostrovets NPP. The meeting reviewed the plant's performance, rising electricity demand and proposals for new nuclear capacities.
Karankevich said the work on the second phase of the Ostrovets NPP will proceed, while parallel studies will explore sites in the Mogilev Region for potential future nuclear development to meet growing energy needs.
He highlighted factors driving electricity consumption growth, including the NPP's operation, installation of electric boilers for heating and hot water in urban areas, expanded use of electricity in agriculture, and a growing number of electric vehicles, among others.
In 2024, Belarus consumed over 43 billion kWh of electricity, up 6 billion kWh from five years ago, the official said. ■