Belarus decides to replace its fallen nuclear reactor vessel

MINSK - Belarus will replace the fallen reactor vessel of its first nuclear power plant currently being built, according to the Belarusian Energy Ministry.

The decision was made by an interagency commission on building the nuclear power plant in Belarus. The Energy Ministry also sent word to Russia, the ministry's press-service said.

Russia provided Belarus loans for the purchasing of equipment from Russian company and it was decided in 2009 that the plant would be built by Atomstroyexport, a Russian nuclear equipment and service export company.

Belarusian Energy Minister Vladimir Potupchik also voiced his decision about the fallen vessel during his working trip to Russia's Tyumen Oblast on Thursday.

The nuclear power plant being built in Belarus consists of two units of 1,200 MW each. The first unit is scheduled for operation in 2018, the second for 2020.

On July 10, as a result of a deviation in instructions a skewed load took place and the reactor vessel fell to the ground when the subcontractor was moving it.