Russia can buy reactor vessel from Bulgaria for Kalinin-4 reactor unit

Russia can buy the reactor equipment - included the reactor vessel - which is located in Belene site (Bulgaria), in order to use for the Kalinin-4 reactor construction.

The preliminary agreement has been reached during visit of Rosenergoatom's head Serguey Obozov in Bulgaria taken place in February 14-16, 2007.

"It was first trip on so serious level. We were negotiated with the key figures from Bulgaria, who will decide on possible selling of Belene equipment to Russia," Obozov said.

Russian nuclear boss expressed his confidence in the excellent state of Belene equipment. He added that the legal and trade procedures for its procurement are now under development.

The Belene NPP construction has been started in the Soviet era and stopped after fall of communist government of Bulgaria. However, some equipment has been delivered into Belene site and stored awaiting the final decision for its destiny.

JSC Atomstroyexport and manufacturers discussed current situation in Bushehr

On February 21, 2007, JSC Atomstroyexport and its key Russian partners have discussed the current situation in Bushehr NPP site (Iran). The talks have been focused on the financial dispute with Iran and failures to procure some conventional equipment in third countries.

Currently, over 2000 engineers from Russia, Ukraine and other countries are working in Bushehr. The irregular payment will badly affect on the ability of Russian nuclear companies to increase the number of personnel on site and accelerate the work.

Earlier JSC Atomstroyexport has announced that the company faced difficult situation because of lack of financial support from the Iranian side and troubles with ordering third party equipment. The level of payment by Iranian customer wad dropped in January down to 25%, and quite nothing was paid in February.

The Iranian delegation is expected to come in Moscow soon for negotiation. Both sides expect the financial dispute will be resolved to everybody's delight.

Perm government seeks for grounds for West-Ural NPP

One more nuclear plant may appear in the Russian Federation. The government of Perm region invites the Strategic Stability Institute to be a consultant for seeking the grounds for possible West-Ural NPP construction.

The main goal of Perm region is to include the West-Ural NPP in the list of nuclear plant to be constructed in Russia till 2020. However even if successful, the region can not expect to go nuclear before 2015.

SOURCE: AtomInfo.Ru

DATE: Feb 24, 2007

Topics: NPP, Russia, Asia, Iran, NPP Bushehr