The Astravo nuclear power plant “may start operating in the near future”: it will fill the reserves with protection measures, it will accumulate food reserves

As previously announced, Rosatom plans to physically start the Astravas nuclear power plant in early August, said the head of the Russian state nuclear power corporation, which is building a Belarusian nuclear power plant near the Lithuanian state border.

The nuclear power plant, which will have two reactors from the Russian VVER project, each with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, is being built in the Grodno region, about 50 kilometers from Vilnius and less than 30 kilometers from the border with Lithuania, BNS wrote.

“We cannot answer the question about the date very much, because the question of the date has been postponed more than once, but we appreciate that the statements that the Astravo nuclear power plant can begin to operate (in the sense of the first actions physical) in the near future, “Darius Kuliešius, Senior Advisor to the President of the VGT meeting on national security issues.

The President’s senior adviser recalled that the Astravo nuclear power plant has violated international requirements for nuclear and environmental safety, international conventions and the requirements of “stress test” recommendations.

“Therefore, we appreciate that the power plant presents a real threat to national security today. Our goal is to react and be ready,” said D. Kuliešius.

According to the President’s adviser, the VGT agenda focused on two important issues: civil security and the non-access of unsafe electricity to nuclear power plants in third countries to the Baltic market.

At the VGT meeting, the situation regarding civil protection was presented, plans were available and it was agreed that the efficiency of the civil protection system is a goal to be achieved.

“It means that the plans available are good, but we need to test them in practice as they work. We have to take into account that due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to renew the available reserves, there are other important components that must guarantee civil protection and must be prepared for it as soon as possible, ”said D. Kuliešius.

Regarding the non-entry of electricity from the Astrava nuclear power plant to the Baltic market, the President’s adviser reported that it was agreed that the Baltic States should seek an agreement to prevent electricity produced by nuclear power plants in third countries from entering their market. .

“To implement other measures in parallel, there was an agreement to guarantee the independence of the Lithuanian electricity system and to implement other measures that would guarantee greater security of our electricity system,” said D. Kuliešius.

According to him, Lithuania takes a consistent position that the Astravas nuclear power plant represents a threat today, and must inform the international community of possible security breaches, and strive to ensure security in the region and in Lithuania.

A national civil protection center is planned to be established.

After the meeting, the Minister of the Interior, Rita Tamašunienė, reported that the meeting of the State Commission for Emergency Situations (WESC) in June 2019 had already been discussed. Preparation analysis. 2019 State exercises were held to simulate the incident at the Astravo nuclear power plant.

“Once we have identified the gaps, we will fix them. This primarily relates to preparing for municipal emergencies, preparing collective shelters (to provide food, rest, necessary protective measures), the additional needs of the state reserve to protect to the population in the event of a disaster, improve the information system and keep the population informed R. Tamašunienė.

According to the Minister, it was agreed that all Lithuanian residents should know what to do if such a disaster occurs.

“The WESC meeting will take place next Tuesday. The Fire Protection and Rescue Department was instructed to verify the preparation of the municipalities and their plans. (…) The Ministry of the Interior sees the need to strengthen the entire system of civil protection in Lithuania, ”said R. Tamašunienė.

The Minister reported that the idea of ​​establishing a National Civil Protection Center had already been presented to the Government. This body would be responsible for preventive work, informing the population, the evaluation of threats and other tasks.

It will strengthen the reserve

The Minister reported that the reservation of protection measures is constantly being replenished.

“In terms of the COVID-19 emergency and the highest level of preparedness now in the state, we have two months of safeguards for all officers and doctors who would work in that situation.

But when it comes to radiological incidents, it would certainly affect a broader sector of society. Lithuania is divided into danger zones: 30 kilometers, 100 kilometers from the nuclear power plant. We are talking about food supplies, cleaning equipment, reorganizing the population, placing them in safe places. We must take care of that reserve. We have planned and presented a concrete plan to the Government, ”said R. Tamašunienė.

According to the minister, preparing for the threats from the Astrava nuclear power plant will cost 135 million. Euros That amount would be used to buy facilities to care for the population for 14 days.

“This can be implemented in stages by strengthening certain forces,” said R. Tamašunienė.

He highlighted three stages of preparation.

Energy Minister Žygimantas Vaičiūnas highlighted three preparation points for the Astravas nuclear power plant:

1. “The synchronization of the Baltic States with the mainland networks is the most sustainable form of protection, both in a systemic and market sense, against the failure of the electricity market for unsafe nuclear power plants. It was agreed to continue negotiations with Latvia and Estonia. The goal is after 2025. not to buy electricity from Russia and Belarus. By 2025, with the commissioning of the Astravo nuclear power plant, the goal should be to prevent that electricity from entering the Baltic electricity market. “
2. “No use of the Kruonis Hydraulic Accumulation Power Plant (for the needs of the Astravo Nuclear Power Plant). In fact, the automation that existed until now has been removed, and that doesn’t allow Kruonis to be used automatically for reservations. We must also ensure additional measures so that there are not only practical but also theoretical possibilities to use Kruonis reserves. ”
3. “Promote the generation of electricity in Lithuania. We have successfully implemented renewable energy plans, but in the current situation, both in practical terms (considering gas prices) and strategically, it would be important for Lithuania to guarantee electricity generation at the Elektrėnai cogeneration plant. Solutions need to be found to make that production as seamless as possible. “

It also appeals to the self-esteem of Belarusians

Foreign Minister Linas Linkevičius stated that regardless of when the physical start-up and later the energy would start, all arguments and negative attitude of Lithuania towards this power plant remain.

“We will continue to accumulate common opinions in international institutions: the EC, the region. Our arguments have not been answered,” emphasized L. Linkevičius.

According to the minister, the main objective is synchronization.

“We cannot delay, we must abide by it, and all efforts will be directed to that,” said L. Linkevičius.

The minister also informed his colleague Ž. Vaičiūnas that negotiations with the Baltic States will continue.

“It just came to our attention then. It must comply with the requirements of our law and the very fact that electricity from unsafe nuclear power plants would not enter the Baltic markets, and after synchronization, electricity from third countries could not enter us, ”said L. Linkevičius.

The minister reported that talks are also ongoing with the Belarusian side.

“The last time I was in Minsk, I was in contact with my colleague V. Makeyis and the Prime Minister of Belarus not too long ago. I made our criticism very clear. Then, for the first time, we heard from them that they were ready to invite to international experts. (…) We need a result. There must be “stress tests” according to European standards. (…)

We understand your situation. This is a Russian geopolitical project. That pressure is also likely to come from Russia. But we believe that Belarusians also have national interests and self-esteem, and they also demand certain standards. We want to remind you of that too, ”said L. Linkevičius.

According to the Minister, this is also a matter of professional responsibility.

“If licenses are issued for certain actions in the startup process without responding to the rules, we will remember that too,” said L. Linkevičius.

At the same time, the minister asked to be realistic.

“The fact is, the first reactor is stationary. We will try to do everything possible to stop the process as much as possible and prevent new plans from taking place, ”said L. Linkevičius.