MOSCOW, November 29. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus plan to adopt a Union State program on radioactive waste treatment, nuclear and radiation security, says the press office of TVEL, Rosatom’s fuel division.

In particular, Russia and Belarus are working on a joint proposal to develop technical solutions that would make it possible to minimize the volume of waste subject to final isolation. This work will include looking into the long-term security of a radioactive waste disposal site, developing a digital model to accompany the disposal site's life cycle, as well as training of personnel of operating organizations.

In addition, there are plans to develop a separate Union State program on the development of proprietary technologies for production of ionizing radiation detectors.

"As part of the program, we will create a […] standardized method of picking locations for waste disposal sites both in the Republic of Belarus, as well as other states, who are interested in creating their own national radioactive waste disposal sites," says Eduard Nikitin, TVEL Director on Decommissioning and Waste Disposal.

According to Leonid Dedul, head of the Department for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection of the Ministry for Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus (Gosatomnadzor), it is necessary to pick a waste disposal site by 2025 in order to begin construction by 2028-2029. The first phase of the national waste disposal site is expected to be commissioned in 2030.

"This work will take place applying the results of the Union State programs and will involve Russian experts. Rosatom and the [relevant] CIS core organization provide us with maximum support," Dedul said.

TVEL has been the industry integrator for nuclear site decommissioning and treatment of radioactive waste since 2019. An industry integrator consolidates the industry, leads the development and trial of new technologies, and implements all decommissioning stages, from preparation to rehabilitation of territory. TVEL also acts as a CIS core organization on treatment of depleted nuclear fuel, nuclear waste and decommissioning.