Andrey Novitsky, Deputy Head of Saratov Government

– We will insist on the construction of the 5th and 6th units of Balakovo NPP

Deputy head of the Saratov Government Andrey Novitsky has commented to journalists on the key events of the past year:

«In 2006 Balakovo NPP has traditionally shown high performance standards. On Dec 20 the NPP had already fulfilled its annual plan — 29.582bln KWh — the plant’s all-time big output. This year the plant has shown the best security culture among Rosenergoatom’s NPPs.»

The biggest achievement of the nuclear power sector is the adoption of the Federal Target Program «Development of the Nuclear Power Complex of Russia in 2007–2015.» 675bln RUR will be allocated for this program from the Federal Budget. It should be noted that the program contains no plans for increasing the capacities of Balakovo NPP. We are not happy with this situation and believe that the Government should make corrective decisions.

Presently, energy consumption is growing much quicker than planned. In the next 10–15 years it will grow by 1.5–2 times. The equipment is wearing out: almost 58% of the equipment of the electric energy sector is worn out, which is the highest percentage among all industry branches.

Unless we do something, by 2020 the shortfall in generating capacities in the Volga region will total 12 GW.

In this light, the Government is specifying the Energy Strategy of Russia till 2020 and is drafting the General Scheme of Electric Power Facilities Deployment till 2020. The responsible authority is the Industry and Energy Ministry. The drafts of the above-mentioned documents are to be submitted to the Government by Mar 31 and to be considered on Apr 19.

Nuclear power generation will play an important role. A 1 GW unit with 70% plant ratio generates 7bln KWh a year and saves 2.3bln c m of natural gas — as much as TPP would consume for producing as much electricity.

This year we pin big hopes on the above-mentioned documents. We will insist that these plans include the construction of the 5th and 6th units of Balakovo NPP.