OREANDA-NEWS. July 22, 2008. Rosenergoatom Concern presented the “South Ural NPP” investment project to the public and the government of Snezhinsk, Chelyabinsk region. And even though the final decision on the construction of the plant has not yet been passed, quite a big number of local residents have already shown approval of this project.

Chelyabinsk region is one of the biggest electricity consumers in Russia with as much as 30% of its energy imported from other region. So, South Ural NPP is supposed to ensure the energy security of the region.

While presenting the project, the deputy director general-the director for development of Rosernergoatom Concern Alexander Polushkin said that the total electric capacity of the four units of South Ural NPP will be 4.6GW, the service life – 50 years, the capacity factor – 90%. The reactors will be launched in 2016, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Russia has never built an NPP so quickly so far. However, Rosenergoatom Concern has enough capacities for that.

The deputy director general for engineering of Atomenergoproekt FSUE Ruben Topchiyan presented the safety systems to be used at the plant.

“We have received enough information to be able to see that the plant will be safe and efficient. I am sure that we will be able to explain to our people that we really need the plant,” the chairman of the Public Chamber of Chelyabisnk region Bvyacheslav Skvortsov said.