15.01.2010
On November, 30 the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Sergey Shmatko, jointly with the Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Director of Nuclear Power Company of Iran, Ali Akbar Salehi, as well as with the President of JSC “Atomstroyexport”(JSC ASE), Dan Belenkiy visited the construction site of NPP “Bushehr” in Iran. The governmental representatives of Russia and Iran studied the construction progress of the first Iranian nuclear power plant.
At present a hydraulic test of the primary circuit of the power unit for 250kg/sm2 at NPP “Bushehr” has been successfully completed about which the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Sergey Shmatko, stated during the visit. The primary circuit hydraulic test is the most important stage during putting the unit into operation. The pressure of 250kg/sm2 exceeds NPP operating pressure nearly by 40% that allows confirming its safety and high reserve power.
According to Sergey Shmatko NPP “Bushehr” is a symbol of the Russian-Iranian cooperation. “We have done our best in order to carry out the project and bring it to a close, - Sergey Shmatko declared. There is no disagreement from the Iranian side. The tests are being conducted surprisingly well; all the works are being done in compliance with the schedule agreed and approved with the Iranian customer; at the moment there are no any claims to the equipment”.
As the Minister of Energy of Russia announced, the cooperation with Iran will be proceeding in the future. “We shall create a joint venture which will be dealt with further operation of NPP “Bushehr”, - Sergey Shmatko informed.
According to Ali Akbar Salehi, the Iranian side is focused on looking forward rather than looking backwards. In compliance with the solution of the Parliament of Iran we should generate about 20.000 MWt in the nearest 15-20 years. Russia will have the priority to meet such a target and I am sure that the cooperation between our countries has great perspectives”.
Reference: JSC “Atomstroyexport” (JSC ASE) carries out “turn-key” construction of NPP “Bushehr” Unit 1 with the power capacity of 1000 MWt. The construction of NPP “Bushehr” was started in 1974 by the German concern Kraftwerk Union A.G. (Siemens/KWU). In 1980 the concern broke the contract with the Iranian Customer due to the decision of the German Government to join the American embargo upon the equipment supplies to Iran. NPP “Bushehr” is a unique project, which doesn’t have any analogues in the world. JSC “Atomstroyexport” and its subcontractors was managed to integrate the Russian equipment into construction carried out under the German project and to use nearly 12.000 tones of German equipment. A great amount of work was performed on qualification of the equipment, buildings and constructions. A large variety of special technical ideas and “know-how” was generated in order to adjust the Russian technologies to the existing facilities at the site. NPP “Bushehr” construction at all stages is being carried out under the control of IAEA. Plant construction fully corresponds to the relevant international regulations, legislation and non-proliferation regime. At present NPP “Bushehr” construction has passed into a closing stage.
