State policy and regulation within the energy sector, including nuclear energy, energy efficiency and renewable energy, is implemented through laws, decrees and directives adopted by the President of the Republic of Belarus. The Council of Ministers adopts resolutions to guide energy sector development strategies, ensure the implementation of policies and regulate residential end user energy tariffs upon the President’s approval. Legislative measures within the energy sector are prepared by the Ministry of Energy and experts in the sector, before they are submitted for approval through the National Assembly.

Currently, the main directions for the development of the national fuel and energy complex are defined in the Concept of Energy Security of the Republic of Belarus, approved by the Resolution No. 1084 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 23 December 2015. The main goal of the Concept is to strengthen energy security and increase energy independence of the Republic of Belarus.

TABLE 1. ESTIMATED AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES

* Solid, liquid: million tons; Gas: billion m³; Uranium: tonnes; Hydro, renewable: TW.

** There are no uranium energy sources in Belarus.

*** Wind, SolarSource: Ministry of Energy (Strategy of Energy Potential Development of the Republic of Belarus).

TABLE 2. ENERGY CONSUMPTION

*Latest available data, please note that compound annual growth rate may not be representative of actual average growth.

**Total energy derived from primary and secondary generation sources. Figures do not reflect potential heat output that may result from electricity co-generation.

—: data not available.

Source(s): United Nations Statistical Division, OECD/IEA and IAEA RDS-1

The Comprehensive Plan for the Development of the Electric Power Industry until 2025, taking into account the commissioning of the Belarusian NPP, approved by the Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus on 1 March 2016, provides for commissioning and integration of the Belarusian NPP and necessary changes in the regulatory and technical framework. The plan also includes allowances for network rehabilitation and development, and the phasing out of tariff subsidies. Its main technical goals are to:

• Commission the Belarusian NPP (2 400 MW);

• Reduce the share of gas in heat and electricity production to 60% by 2025;

• Integrate the NPP into the grid by installing 985 MW of electric boilers with the State Production Association of the Electric Power Industry “Belenergo” (SPA “Belenergo”) and 200 MW with other consumers;

• Construct 800 MW of peak reserve power capacity;

• Restrict the Belarusian NPP’s basic mode of operation in the non-heating period to 80% of rated power;

• Introduce electric heating and hot water systems in new building construction when technically and economically feasible;

• Expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure and electric public transport.

The electric power sector of Belarus is an intensively automated complex consisting of regional energy systems combined into the national system with integrated operation and control management.

Presently, the national electric power sector is integrated under SPA “Belenergo”, which includes the operation and control management facility. It integrates six regional electric power enterprises and various companies performing maintenance, production and reconstruction of electrical facilities, as well as research, design and technological activities and construction of new electric energy facilities.

As of 1 January 2021, the total established capacity of the SPA “Belenergo” thermal power plants amounted to 8 897.31 MW, and the total installed capacity of all power plants in Belarus was 10 073.99 MW.

The electrical network of the national electric power sector includes 0.4–750 kV transmission facilities with a total length of 280 610 km, transformer stations with 35–750 kV voltage and total installed capacity of 33 389.7 MVA and transformer stations with 6–10/0.4 kV voltage and total installed capacity of 14 558.3 MVA.

The 220–750 kV power transmission lines are the backbone of the electric energy system and provide connections to the electric energy systems of Lithuania, Poland, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. The total length of these lines is 7 668 km.

The 110 kV power transmission lines with a total length of 17 437 km provide for both transmission and distribution of electric energy.

The 0.4–35 kV electric network is used for distribution purposes. Its length is 255 500 km.

TABLE 3. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION

*Latest available data, please note that compound annual growth rate may not be representative of actual average growth.

**Electricity transmission losses are not deducted.

—: data not available.

Source: United Nations Statistical Division, OECD/IEA and IAEA RDS-1

TABLE 4. ENERGY RELATED RATIOS

*Latest available data.

Source: RDS-1 and RDS-2

—: data not available.

On 17 September 2007, the President of the Republic of Belarus approved the Concept of Energy Security of the Republic of Belarus, which considers the introduction of a nuclear option into the national energy mix. The Concept assumes the construction of an NPP consisting of two reactors with total output electric capacity of 2000 MW before 2020.

On 31 January 2008, the Security Council of the Republic of Belarus made a decision to construct the NPP and to put the first 1000 MW(e) unit into operation in 2016 and the second one in 2018.

On 30 July 2008, the Law of the Republic of Belarus “On the Use of Atomic Energy” was adopted. The Law sets up conditions and the normative and legal bases for safe development of the nuclear energy sector, and for the use of nuclear technologies in various sectors of the national economy, as well as for conducting research activities.

On 15 March 2011, the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Belarus on cooperation in the construction of an NPP on the territory of the Republic of Belarus was signed.

On 18 July 2012, the general contract for the construction of the Belarusian NPP was signed between Republican Unitary Enterprise “Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant” and JSC “Atomstroyexport”.

In 2006, in order to establish and continuously support strong communication, information sharing, and discussion and solution of problems facing the implementation of National Nuclear Power Programme, the Inter-Agency Commission was created in the Republic of Belarus (see Fig. 1).

In accordance with Decree No. 565 of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 12 November 2007, the Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety (Gosatomnadzor) under the Ministry for Emergency Situations was established to supervise nuclear and radiation safety (regulator).

According to Decree No. 378 of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 10 July 2008, the Department of Nuclear Energy of the Ministry of Energy was established. Its main function is the implementation of the national policy for nuclear energy.

In accordance with Decree No. 583 of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated 30 December 2013, the Belarusian NPP (operator) was established as a result of the reorganization of the State Enterprise “Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction”. From 1 January 2020, the Belarusian NPP became part of SPA “Belenergo”, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Energy.

SPA “Belenergo” manages the economic activity of the power industry of the Republic of Belarus and includes 30 organizations such as regional power enterprises, construction and installation organizations, industrial infrastructure organizations, repair and maintenance enterprises, and research and design institutes. In total, there are more than 62 000 people employed in the Belarusian energy system. Energy sources operated by SPA “Belenergo” cover more than 95% of the electric energy needs and more than 50% of the thermal energy needs in Belarus.

The organization which carries out the scientific support for the construction of the NPP is State Scientific Institution “Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research — Sosny” of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny”).

FIG 1. The Inter-Agency Commission

On 5 October 2020, the stage “Loading the reactor with nuclear fuel” was completed at Unit 1.

In the period 9–23 October 2020, work was carried out at the stage “Achieving the critical state of the reactor and performing physical testing at the minimum controlled power level”.

On 3 November 2020, Unit 1 was connected to the united energy system of the country.

On 22 December 2020, the trial operation stage began at Unit 1, which provides for the sequential increase of reactor power with the necessary tests, including the mode of resetting the turbine generator load to zero.

On 29 May 2021, the comprehensive testing of Unit 1 equipment at nominal parameters within 15 days was completed.

On 10 June 2021, Unit 1 was approved for operation by the acceptance committee in accordance with the established procedure.

On 27 May 2021, work began at Unit 2 at the stage “Hydraulic testing (leak tightness testing) of the primary circuit”.

Unit 2 is scheduled to begin operation in 2022.

TABLE 5. STATUS AND PERFORMANCE OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

On 31 May 2012, a licence for the placement of Unit 1 and 2 of the Belarusian NPP was issued to the operator. The licence enabled an engineering survey and research on the sites of the units and priority activities of the preparatory period of construction prior to the pouring of concrete into the foundation of the main buildings and constructions.

On 13 September 2013, the Board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations took a decision to issue the licence for the right to build a nuclear installation (construction of bases and foundations of buildings and constructions of Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP).

On 14 February 2014, the Republican Unitary Enterprise “Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant” received the licence for construction of the foundations of buildings and structures of Unit 2 of the Belarusian NPP.

On 22 April 2014, the Board of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus took a decision to issue a licence, which allowed the main stage of the construction of Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP to start. The decision took into account confirmation that the chosen designs for Unit 1 met nuclear and radiation safety criteria as well as the requirements of the normative acts of the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation (according to which the project was developed and the construction will be accomplished), in addition to the positive outcome of the conformity assessment.

On 13 December 2014, the licence for the construction of Unit 2 of the Belarusian NPP was issued.

On 13 April 2020, the Belarusian NPP was granted the right to handle fresh nuclear fuel.

On 6 August 2020, amendments were made to the existing licence, which made it possible to begin the first loading of the standard reactor core at stage B “Physical startup” of putting Unit 1 into operation.

On 8 October 2020, the Belarusian NPP received the right to perform physical experiments at the minimum controlled level at stage B “Physical startup” of the commissioning of Unit 1, as well as the right to manage operational radioactive waste.

On 23 October 2020, the Belarusian NPP was granted the right to perform work at stage V “Power startup” of Unit 1 commissioning.

On 21 December 2020, the corresponding amendments were made to the licence of the Belarusian NPP, which allowed stage G “trial operation” of the commissioning of Unit 1 of the Belarusian NPP to be carried out.

Not applicable.

The Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization (NEPIO) is the Nuclear Energy Department of the Ministry of Energy. It was established in accordance with Decree No. 378 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 10 July 2008. Its main function is the implementation of the national policy for nuclear energy.

In accordance with Decree No. 565 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 12 November 2007, the following institutions were established:

• The Directorate for Nuclear Power Plant Construction, to perform the functions of the customer for preparatory and design and survey activities (operator);

• The Department of Nuclear and Radiation Safety (Gosatomnadzor) under the Ministry for Emergency Situations, to supervise nuclear and radiation safety (regulator).

In January 2020, by Presidential Decree, the Belarusian NPP was incorporated into the Belarusian national electric company SPA “Belenergo” (managing company). “Belenergo” provides technical support to the operator with the involvement of specialized Belarusian organizations.

Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny” provides scientific support for the development of the nuclear power programme (e.g. nuclear power engineering; nuclear and radiation technologies; radioactive waste management; fundamental and applied research in the fields of nuclear physics, elementary particles physics, high energy physics).

The agreement between the Government of the Republic of Belarus and the Government of the Russian Federation extends a State export loan for the construction of the NPP to the Government of the Republic of Belarus and provides for a loan of US $10 billion to finance 90% of the cost of the contract for the construction of the NPP.

The Electric Grid currently has interconnections with Ukraine, the Russian Federation and the Baltic States. Ukraine and the Baltic States are considering disconnecting from the Belarusian grid and synchronizing with the European Union grid. This was taken into account in the analysis of upgrades required.

A feasibility study has been carried out to determine the optimal solutions for the construction of the Belarusian NPP power output. The quantity of transmission lines and directions necessary for reliable NPP power output have been determined based on the modelling of long term modes and possible accidents during NPP operation.

Seven new 330 kV transmission lines have been constructed, together with one new and one upgraded substation.

These seven transmission lines connect the Belarusian NPP with the Belarusian Electric Grid as follows: NPP – Smorgon, NPP – Minsk North, NPP – Molodechno, NPP – Ros, NPP – Stolbcy, NPP – Postavy 1&2.

To support a reliable operation od NPP, the 330 kV transmission lines of the Belarusian Electric Grid were refurbished in the framework of NPP power output implementation and electrical grid improvement. The key facilities are the large 330 kV substation Postavy, seven 330 kV transmission lines and Stolbcy substation (voltage changing from 220 kV to 330 kV).

23 substations were allocated for effective coordination of the Belarusian NPP power output. It is transmission lines and power facilities construction and refurbishment. In total, 1032.5 km of new transmission lines have been constructed and 672.4 km of 330 kV transmission lines have been refurbished. All 23 startup complexes have started operation. This work was completed in December 2018. All seven 330 kV transmission lines have been in operation since May 2020. The grid system control provides for primary, secondary and tertiary reserve capacity. Reserve capacity can be provided by the existing generating plants and the construction of new facilities in the future. Additionally, to ensure the operational reserve, four peak reserve sources are being built (highly manoeuvrable gas turbine power plants).

The goals and main directions of development of the backbone and distribution power grids are defined by the Concept for the Development of Power Generating Capacities and Power Grids for the Period until 2030 and the Programme for the complex modernization of energy sector production for 2021–2025. To improve the reliability of the National Electric Grid System, it is planned to build (reconstruct) about 2 700 km of all voltage classes of electric networks annually in the period 2021–2025.

The decision on the selection of a site for the Belarusian NPP was made in accordance with IAEA standards, international obligations and national legislation.

Initially, in the 1980s, 74 prospective areas were identified. After the accident at the Chornobyl nuclear power plant, plans to construct the NPP in Belarus were cancelled.

In the 2000s, after returning to the idea of embarking on nuclear power, the desk review and, if necessary, minor additional reconnaissance works of the prospective areas were conducted. As a result of this review, 71 out of 74 areas were excluded – because either, given the long time lag, the land use conditions in those areas had changed or engineering, hydrological, hydrogeological, geological, and other conditions in the areas proved to be unsuitable for NPP construction.

The three remaining areas were recommended for further in-depth investigation: Bykhov and Shklov-Gorki areas in Mogilev region as well as Ostrovets area in Grodno region.

The primary criterion for the site selection process was safety.

No prohibiting factors for NPP construction at these sites were detected.

However, at the Krasnaya Polyana and Kukshinovo sites, carbonates were found at a depth of about 45 m. In the light of possible karst processes, costly engineering solutions would be needed to ensure the safety of the future NPP.

These circumstances, as well as the outcomes of the IAEA dedicated expert missions in 2008, were taken into account, and the Ostrovets site was identified as a priority site for NPP construction, with the Krasnaya Polyana and Kukshinovo sites considered as reserve sites.

A comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out for the planned Belarusian NPP. All three alternative sites were thoroughly and equally described in the EIA report.

In line with the Espoo Convention, in 2009–2013 Belarus carried out transboundary consultations on the basis of the EIA report with the governments of Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine and their public.

On 2 November 2013, after the completion of the transboundary EIA procedure for the Belarusian NPP, the President of the Republic of Belarus authorized the construction of the Belarusian NPP and approved the Ostrovets site for these purposes. This decision was based on the EIA results, including the results of transboundary consultations, and the approved design documentation, as well as the approvals and conclusions provided for by national legislation. In the course of the transboundary EIA procedure, neither participating countries nor the public presented any evidence of possible significant adverse environmental impact as a result of the NPP construction at the Ostrovets site.

In 2017, the IAEA SEED Mission confirmed that Belarus had taken the necessary steps to ensure protection of the NPP in case of the worst possible external event, that site-specific external hazards (earthquakes, floods, extreme weather conditions, events caused by human factors) had been appropriately considered in the NPP design, and that measures had been taken in the light of the lessons learned from the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi NPP.

When Belarus began considering its nuclear power programme, it conducted surveys and reviews starting in 2005 to determine the level of knowledge of and attitudes towards the use of nuclear power. These surveys indicated that 28.3% of a representative sampling of 2 000 persons responded positively towards nuclear power.

Since October 2009, , the Information Centre of the NPP in Ostrovets (the nearest city to the Belarusian NPP site) has been operating with the aim of ensuring good communication with the public and the mass media. The Centre is intended to inform the public on nuclear energy issues and the construction of the Belarusian NPP.

In 2012, the Ministry of Energy and Rosatom, a company which was chosen as a vendor of nuclear technologies for construction Belarusian NPP agreed to cooperate on communication strategy for the Belarusian NPP construction project. Since 2012, annual action plans regarding communication for the Belarusian NPP have been developed and implemented. The Ministry of Energy developed a common communication strategy with the vendor for the public and the mass media, and coordinated all activities in this field.

In order to strengthen communication with the public and the mass media, the Atomic Energy Information Centre (AEIC) was opened in 2015 in Minsk, with the support of Rosatom.

Because of the work done, surveys showed a growth of positive attitude towards nuclear power and the construction of an NPP in Belarus. Surveys, carried out in 2020, showed 45.1% in favour of nuclear power programme development and 61.8 % in favour of the construction of an NPP in Belarus.

Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny” conducts applied scientific research in the following areas:

• Nuclear power development in the Republic of Belarus;

• Nuclear power engineering, nuclear and radiation technologies;

• Radioactive waste management;

• Fundamental and applied research in the fields of nuclear physics, elementary particles physics, high energy physics;

At present, scientific support of the work on the construction of the Belarusian NPP is one of the primary fields of activity of the institute.

In accordance with Subprogramme 3 “Scientific support for the safe operation of the Belarusian NPP and the prospective development of nuclear energy” of the State programme “Science-Intensive Technologies and Equipment” for 2021–2025, approved by the Resolution No. 245 of the Council of the Ministers of the Republic of Belarus dated 23 April 2021, Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny” is the main executing organization of this subprogramme.

The purpose of this subprogramme is to provide scientific support for the efficient and safe operation of the Belarusian NPP throughout its entire life cycle, the management of radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, as well as the development of promising areas for the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

The subprogramme is funded from the State budget.

Scientific Institution “JIPNR-Sosny” conducts research in the following areas:

• The physics of nuclear reactors and radiation protection, criticality of fissile materials and nuclear safety;

• The development of a new generation of nuclear reactors of different purposes;

• The development of the project and construction of the Centre for Nuclear Research and Technology on the basis of a multipurpose research nuclear reactor;

• Methods of nondestructive control of nuclear and radioactive materials, etc.

Since 2008, when the national nuclear energy programme was adopted in order to develop the necessary infrastructure for nuclear power generation, the Republic of Belarus has made significant progress thanks to fruitful cooperation with competent international organizations.

Cooperation of the Ministry of Energy and the Belarusian NPP with the IAEA is carried out on the basis of agreed plans within the framework of which seminars, training courses, expert missions, and technical and scientific visits to NPPs all over the world are conducted.

According to IAEA Nuclear Energy Series No. NG-G-3.1, Milestones in the Development of National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power, Belarus is at Milestone 3, which implies readiness to commission and operate the first NPP. This requires significant competence ensuring and training for all personnel and demonstration that the operating organization represented by the Belarusian NPP can manage the AES-2006 project safely and sustainably throughout the nuclear life cycle.

Given that Belarus is an embarking country, the IAEA’s support in identifying and eliminating gaps in the national nuclear energy infrastructure is essential. The Belarusian NPP and Belarus as a whole received significant assistance from the Agency within the framework of the technical cooperation (TC) projects:

• 2010–2011: BYE/0/006, “Developing Human Resources and a Training System for the Nuclear Power Programme”.

• 2012–2013: BYE/2/004, “Developing Nuclear Power Infrastructure and a Staff Training System for a Nuclear Power Programme”. Within the framework of this project, the INIR mission “Integrated mission for assessing the readiness of the national nuclear power infrastructure of the Republic of Belarus” was conducted.

• 2014–2015: BYE/2/005, “Supporting Human Resources and Infrastructure Development for the Nuclear Power Programme”.

• 2016–2017: BYE/2/006, “Supporting Human Resources and Infrastructure Development for the Commissioning of the First Nuclear Power Plant”.

• 2018–2019: BYE/2/007 “Improving Capacity of Operating Organization for Ensuring Safe and Reliable Nuclear Power Plant Operation”.

The project BYE/2/008 “Enhancing the Operational Safety of the Nuclear Power Plant during Commissioning and Operation” is currently under implementation.

Apart from the IAEA, the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) continues to be an important partner for the Belarusian NPP. Since the signing of the cooperation agreement in 2015, the WANO has been providing effective consulting and expert support, and has helped to solve the issues of maintaining personnel competence and qualifications. Since May 2018, when the agreement on scientific and technical cooperation with JSC Concern Rosenergoatom was signed, collaborative work has been related to the development of operational personnel resources, improving the quality assurance of the Belarusian NPP service, and, if necessary, providing methodological assistance on various issues related to ensuring the safety of NPPs.

Along with this, the Belarusian NPP regularly organizes and takes part in international events of various formats and levels within the framework of the existing memoranda and intergovernmental agreements in the field of peaceful atomic energy use with such countries as Austria, Bangladesh, China, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Hungary, Japan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Ukraine and others.

In 2020, the Belarusian NPP took part in consideration and approval of the cooperation programme between the CIS Member States in the field of peaceful atomic energy use for the period up to 2030 and the Action Plan for its implementation for the period 2021–2025.

Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny” has been actively cooperating with research and engineering organizations of the Russian Federation, including organizations of the State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom”, as well as with research centres of the European Union and the United States of America, and the IAEA.

Scientific Institution “JIPNR – Sosny” carries out a significant amount of research work on the development and testing of a new type of nuclear fuel based on uranium–zirconium carbonitride (UZrCN). These works are carried out in international cooperation with the leading nuclear laboratories and centres in the world:

Argonne National Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory (US Department of Energy);

• The Federal State Unitarian Enterprise Scientific Research Institute, the Scientific Industrial Association “Luch” (Podolsk, Russian Federation);

• I.I. Leypunsky Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (Obninsk) and Joint Stock Company “State Scientific Center – Research Institute of Atomic Reactors” (Dimitrovograd, Russian Federation)

• State Atomic Energy Corporation “Rosatom” (Russian Federation)

and others.The Institute collaborates with Oak Ridge and Pacific North-West National Laboratories of the US Department of Energy on ensuring the physical protection of nuclear materials, facilities and ionizing radiation sources, management of ionizing radiation sources which were abandoned or withdrawn from illicit trafficking, and physical nuclear security culture.

By 2023, the planned results from international technical assistance provided to the Belarusian NPP and Belarus as a whole is that the operating organization will expand its capabilities for the secure, reliable and safe commissioning and further operation of Units 1 and 2 and improved nuclear energy infrastructure for the peaceful use of atomic energy.

To implement regulatory functions in the area of nuclear and radiation safety within the Ministry for Emergency Situations, the Department for Nuclear and Radiation Safety has been established. In accordance with the tasks assigned to it, Gosatomnadzor:

• Develops regulatory requirements in the field of nuclear and radiation safety;

• Considers documents justifying safety and prepares draft decisions on the issuance of licences in the area of the use of atomic energy and sources of ionizing radiation;

• Organizes an assessment (examination) of the safety of nuclear power facilities and sources of ionizing radiation, examination of their design and project documentation, including with the involvement of independent experts;

• Organizes and implements State supervision in the area of nuclear and radiation safety;

• Organizes studies to substantiate the principles and criteria of nuclear and radiation safety;

• Ensures the functioning of the State system for accounting and control of nuclear materials, the unified State system for accounting and control of sources of ionizing radiation;

• Fulfils international obligations of the Republic of Belarus to ensure nuclear and radiation safety when using nuclear energy and sources of ionizing radiation;

• Informs the public on issues of nuclear and radiation safety in the country.

The list of governmental bodies responsible for various aspects of nuclear safety and security also includes the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and State Security Committee (Article 7 of the Law “On the Use of Atomic Energy”).

State administration in the area of radiation safety is exercised by the Ministry for Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection and the Ministry of Health in accordance with the Law “On Radiation Safety”.

The Ministry of Health is responsible for ensuring the sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population in terms of organization and the implementation of measures, the implementation of State control (supervision) over compliance with legislation in the field of sanitary and epidemiological well-being of the population.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Protection is responsible for observing the pollution level of the atmospheric air, surface water, soil, atmospheric precipitation and snow cover, with the aim of identifying radioactive contamination of these environmental components resulting from the emission (discharges) of pollutants and their transboundary migration. Information about environmental pollution is provided to the State authorities, local executive and administrative bodies and the public in order to prevent and mitigate the impact of potential radiological emergency situations.

The licensing process in the area of the use of nuclear energy and sources of ionizing radiation is regulated by the following legislation:

• Decree No. 450 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 1 September 2010 “On Licensing of Certain Types of Activities”;

• Resolution No. 1781 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 7 December 2010 “On Approval of the Clause about the Procedure of Examining Documents Ensuring Nuclear and Radiation Safety in the Sphere of Atomic Power Use and Ionizing Radiation Sources”;

• Norms and rules on nuclear and radiation safety assurance “On the composition and content of documents substantiating the provision of nuclear and radiation safety in the implementation of activities in the field of the use of atomic energy and sources of ionizing radiation”, approved by the Decree No. 46 of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus dated 17 August 2018.

The process of licensing activities in the area of industrial safety is regulated by the following legislation:

• Regulation No. 450 of 1 September 2010 “On the Licensing of Certain Types of Activities” approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus;

• The Law of the Republic of Belarus of 5 January 2016 No. 354-Z “On Industrial Safety”;

• Resolution No. 614 of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus of 5 August 2016 “On some issues of industrial safety expertise”.

The licensing process in the area of security activities is regulated by the following legislation:

• Regulations “On the Licensing of Certain Types of Activities”, approved by Decree No. 450 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 1 September 2010;

• The Law of the Republic of Belarus of 8 November 2006 No. 175-Z “On Security Activities in the Republic of Belarus”.

The process of licensing activities in the area of motor transport is regulated by the following legislation:

• Regulations “On the Licensing of Certain Types of Activities”, approved by Decree No. 450 of the President of the Republic of Belarus of 1 September 2010;

• The Law of the Republic of Belarus of 14 August 2007 No. 278-Z “On Motor Transport and Transportation”.