The Belarusian Energy Ministry is to carry out a feasibility study probing whether to add a third reactor to its Astrovets nuclear station or build a second nuclear site, the Interfax news agency reports.

Deputy energy minister Denis Moroz said the move was prompted by rapid growth in electricity consumption.

The Astrovets plant is located on Belarus’ border with Lithuania. It has two Russian VVER-1200 units built by Rosatom’s ASE Group and financed by a $10bn Russian loan.

The first reactor was connected to the network in November 2020, and the second was connected in May 2023.

The study is due to be finished before the end of next year.