19.01.2007 // Press service of Rosenergoatom

Sergey Obozov: We are ready to complete the 5th unit of Kursk NPP

The State Duma Committee on Energy, Transport and Communication held a guest meeting in Kurchatov on Jan 18. The Committee considered the possibility of completing the construction of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP.

Director General of Rosenergoatom Sergey Obozov said that the concern’s position on the matter has been coordinated with the head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko.

Rosenergoatom is ready to allocate 1bln RUR of own funds for the project in 2007. “Our head has commanded and we are ready to start: once there is a decision, we review our plans and find the money,” Obozov said.

Speaking of the one of the key problems under the project, the use of RBMK (Chernobyl-type) reactor, Obozov said: “The 5th unit is quite a different story: it is the third generation of the reactor. The name “RBMK” is the only thing left of it.”

Obozov dispelled all doubts concerning the operation and maintenance of the 5th unit: “The arguments that we will have problems with the only operating RBMK unit for 25 years are strongly exaggerated and far-fetched. We will have no problems with either fueling or reequipping.”

Concerning the supposition that the high concentration of capacities will lower the efficiency of the energy system of the Central Region, Obozov said: “It is not our problem. I hope that the network experts will find an effective solution.”

“As far as we are concerned, we will meet our price and time commitments,” Obozov said.

The final decision on the project will be passed on Jan 24 after the Commission will have heard the reports by representatives of the Industry and Energy Ministry, Economic Development Ministry, RAO UES and Kursk region.

Note:

The construction of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP was started in 1986 and was to be completed in 2000. Later the launch time was put off till 2004. Today, the 5th unit is almost ready: 70% of physical work has been done. The construction is almost ready: the main technological equipment, including the reactor, the two 550 MW turbine generators and the auxiliary systems have been installed. The hydro and launching systems are almost ready. 60% of the external communications of the industrial site are already operative. Some 19.522bln RUR (with VAT exclusive) is needed for the completion of the project by 2010.