Mr Karankevich was quoted by Belarusian state news agency Belta as saying that Belarusian-2 is at an “85% readiness level” with work progressing on schedule.
Last month the first fuel batch for the Russia-made VVER-1200 pressurised water reactor unit was delivered onsite following the loading of dummy fuel assemblies in March 2021.
Mr Karankevich said actual fuel loading for Belarusian-2 is scheduled for the autumn of this year.
There are two 1,109-MW VVER-1200 reactor units at the Belarusian site near the town of Ostrovets, close to the border with Lithuania. Construction of Unit 1 began in November 2013 and of Unit 2 in April 2014.
Belarusian-1 has been connected to the grid and is approaching commercial operation, going through the final stages of commissioning testing.
According to the latest government timeframe, Belarusian-2 is expected to become commercial in 2022.
The cost of the two units, largely funded by a loan from Russia, has been reported as $11bn (€9bn). Russia’s Rosatom is developing the project under a 2011 intergovernmental agreement.
Upon completion, the two-unit station is expected to meet about 40% of Belarusian demand for electricity.