OREANDA-NEWS. February 26, 2009. A press-conference took place at the construction site of Bushehr (an Iran-based nuclear power plant being built by Atomstroyexport CJSC on a turnkey basis) on Feb 25 2009. The press-conference was given by Director General of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko and Vice President of Iran and Head of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization Gholam Reza Aghazadeh, who expressed their satisfaction with the progress on the site and the prospects of further cooperation.

During the visit Kiriyenko and President of Atomstroyexport CJSC Dan Belenky inspected the construction site and observed the loading of dummy fuel assemblies into the reactor of the 1st unit, which is an important stage of a reactor’s commissioning process, making possible the assembly of the reactor and the conduct of hydro-testing and circulatory washing of its circuits.

Kiriyenko said that the loading of dummy fuel assemblies into the reactor was an important step towards the commissioning of the plant. He pointed out that all components of the equipment would be thoroughly checked up and tested according to the schedule of the project and in the order generally applied under Russian NPP construction projects in Russia and abroad. “Today, we can say that the construction and installation work is mostly finished and we have began the start-up process. We have done really huge work. This is a unique project: nobody in the world has done anything like done before,” Kiriyenko said.

Concerning the commissioning deadlines, Kiriyenko said that the project was being carried out according to the schedule coordinated with the Iranian party. The deadlines may be changed – either prolonged or reduced – but, in any case, it will be a very small time shift.

One of the key results of Kiriyenko’s visit to Bushehr was the conduct of negotiations concerning prospects of further cooperation. Kiriyenko told the journalists about contracts that are being discussed with the Iranian party for the moment, particularly, an at least 10-year contract for supply of Russian fuel to Iran. The parties also discussed the possibility of setting up a company for joint operation of the plant.

“The cooperation between Russia and Iran in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy fully complies with the existing international laws and the non-proliferation regime. The construction of Bushehr NPP is a bright example of this compliance. This project is being controlled by the International Atomic Energy Agency and is absolutely open and transparent,” Kiriyenko said.

He pointed out that Bushehr NPP was an example of ideal cooperation: there are no fears or doubts, everything is under control.