Belarus President signs decree for nuclear power plant
RFE/RL based on reporting by ITAR-TASS, Interfax, BelTA, and BelaPAN 5 November 2013, 20:25
Belarus President Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree authorizing construction of that country's first nuclear power plant.
Belarus media reported the signing of the decree on November 4, adding the way is now clear for Atomstroyeksport, the construction wing of Russia's state atomic company Rosatom, to start building the facility.
The plant at Astravyets in the northwest, near the Lithuanian border, will have two Russian reactors capable of generating some 2.4 gigawatts of electricity.
The first unit is due to be launched in 2017 and the second in 2018.
Russia is extending a loan of some $10 billion to Belarus to cover construction costs.
