On the 8th of May 2011 the works on bringing the nuclear steam generating plant to the minimum controlled level of power were carried out at Busher NPP Unit 1

On the 8th of May 2011 at 11:12 (the Iranian local time) the works on bringing the nuclear steam generating plant to the minimum controlled level of power were carried out at Busher NPP Unit 1.
Together with the start of these works the self-sustaining nuclear fuel fission reaction was launched in the reactor core of the Iranian first NPP’s Unit 1.

During the stage of putting power unit № 1 into operation the tests are to be carried out to provide collection of data on the neutron-physical parameters of the reactor core, tests on the operationability and functionality of the control and protection systems, as well as accumulation of the operational skills by the operating personnel.
Construction of Busher Nuclear Power Plant in full meets the requirements of the international codes, legislation, and proliferation regime and is supervised by IAEA. Safety issues are always of primary significance during the construction of the nuclear objects, therefore all the procedures and tests before putting Busher NPP into operation are thoroughly implemented with all the necessary requirements fulfilled.

Reference:
Atomstroyexport JSC, an enterprise of Rosatom State Corporation, is at the final stage of the Busher NPP construction, started in 1974 by German Concern Kraftwerk Union A.G. (Siemens/KWU). In 1980 the Concern annulled the contract with the Iranian Customer due to the decision of the German Government to join the United States embargo on the equipment supplies to Iran.
On the 24th of August 1992 the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran signed the agreement on cooperation in the field of peaceful application of atomic energy, and on the 25th of August 1992 the agreement on construction of the nuclear power plant in Iran was made. In January 1995 the contract was signed for the Busher NPP Unit 1 completion. In 1998 the Addendum to the Contract was signed, according to which Atomstroyexport JSC was to complete the construction of Unit 1 with the installed power of 1000 MW and the reactor unit V-446 on a turnkey basis. Virtually the period of the Busher NPP construction, implemented by the Russian party, dates back to 1998. In the year 2001 the supply of the main technological equipment was initiated.