ST. PETERSBURG - Russia and Belarus signed a contract Tuesday on the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Belarus, local media reported.

Russia's Atomstroyexport will build two nuclear reactors with a total power capacity of 2,400 megawatts near the town of Ostrovets in the western Belarussian region of Grodno, according to the reports.

Moscow and Minsk in March signed a preliminary intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction of the first Belarussian nuclear power plant, which is worth $9.4 billion.

Local experts said the project envisages the construction of four independent safety systems, which will make the Ostrovets plant one of the safest in the world.

However, several European countries have protested against the project due to safety and environmental concerns.

The plant is scheduled to be put on service in 2017.