The European Nuclear Safety Regulators Group (ENSREG) has approved the preliminary report on the peer review of the new Belarusian nuclear power plant in Astravets. Adopted by consensus late yesterday (3 March), this report follows a mission by ENSREG technical experts to the site carried out on 9 and 10 February.

  The preliminary report reviews the measures implemented by Belarus with regard to seven issues and related recommendations from the 2018 ENSREG stress test report, which were identified as a priority by the peer review team. The preliminary report concludes that, based on the information made available and the site visit, progress has been made in implementing all recommendations related to the seven priority issues. 

  The adoption of this report brings to a close the first phase of the ongoing peer review. The second phase will cover all the other recommendations and will include another ENSREG experts’ visit to the nuclear power plant as soon as the pandemic situation has improved. The final report of the peer review will be completed and published based on an analysis of the progress on remaining recommendations.

  The EU methodology for stress tests was developed in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011. Belarus is participating in the process on a voluntary basis.

  The Commission will continue to engage with Belarus to ensure that the highest level of safety is guaranteed in the process of commissioning the nuclear power plant.

  The safety of nuclear installations in the EU and in neighbouring countries is a top priority of the European Commission and of the EU’s national nuclear safety authorities.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/