No decision on the completion of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP has been made

19.01.2007 // REGNUM news agency

During its Jan 18 guest meeting in Kurchatov, Kursk region, the State Duma Energy Committee made no decision on the completion of 5th unit of Kursk NPP

The key opponents of the nuclear power engineers, RAO UES representatives, did not come to the meeting. The press service of Kursk NPP reports that the plane with Industry and Energy Ministry, RAO UES officials and Moscow journalists onboard was sent back to Moscow because of bad weather.

As a result, only concerned parties, the administration of Kursk NPP, the management of Krusk NPP and State Duma Energy, Transport and Communication Committee, discussed the possibility of the completion of the 5th unit.

The governor of Kursk NPP Alexander Mikhaylov said that the development of the nuclear power industry is artificially curbed and RAO UES plays an active role in this process. Those present supported Mikhaylov, but, since there were no opponents, no discussion took place.

Director General of Rosergoatom Concern Sergey Obozov confirmed the commitment of his organization to carry out the project. He said that colossal funds have been invested in the construction of the 5th unit and, in some aspects, the unit is almost ready. Each year Rosenergoatom allocates money for maintaining the unit in such a state as to be able to finish it at any moment. Rosenergoatom was ready to start the construction in 2006. According to the estimates of the special commission, the final stage of the project will cost 19.5bln RUR. Rosenergoatom is ready to undertake all the risks related to the prices and guarantees that, in any case, the unit will be launched in time.

The chairman of the State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communication Valery Yazev said that the financing can be obtained from different sources, including private ones.
 
Since RAO UES was not present at the meeting, those present decided to hold one more meeting in Moscow on Jan 23.