Russia to provide Belarus with $10 bn loan for Astravets nuclear power plant construction


The Russian government has instructed the Finance Ministry to sign a protocol to provide Belarus with a government loan of up to $10 billion to construct the nuclear power plant, state-run news agency BelTA reports

The Russian side will grant Belarus the government export loan of up to $10 billion to finance 90% of the cost of each contract signed between the Russian general contractor and the Belarusian customer, reads a document posted on the official Internet portal of legal information of Russia. These contracts stipulate the provision of goods, works and services by the Russian side for the construction of two power-generating units on the territory of Belarus.

The construction of two nuclear reactors for the plant located in Astravets is provided in the agreement reached by Belarus and Russia, the reactors being supplied by Atomstroyexport. The project faced opposition at home and abroad on both safety and political grounds. The Belarusian power plant is supposed to be built in Astravets district, in Hrodna region, 250 kilometers from Polish border and 50 kilometers from Vilnius. The Lithuanian government repeatedly voiced ist protest against the project because of the would-be NPP’s proximity to the capital city.

www.belsat.eu/en

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