Iran still fails to finance Bushehr NPP construction

12.03.2007 // REGNUM news agency

Iran has made no decision so far to continue the financing of Bushehr NPP project, Atomstroyexport representative

The Iranian side has made no decision, so far, to continue the financing of Bushehr NPP construction, a representative of Atomstroyexport (the general contractor of the project) told journalists in Tehran on Mar 12. He said that the management of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran had not yet signed documents confirming their commitment to resume the financing.

The representative of the Russian company said that that was an «unprecedented» attitude: «Perhaps, the financing of the project is no longer a priority for the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran.»

He noted that without financing there would be no fulfillment and that the position of the Iranian side might result in a revision of the schedule.

«Already now we can say that the plant will not be launched this Sept. Consequently, there will be no fuelling this month,» the representative of Atomstroyexport said, noting that the Iranian side also understood that.

To remind, the first reports about unstable financing were received on Feb 19. Iran first refuted them but on Feb 22 said that it was ready to solve the problems within 10 days. Some experts say that the delay in financing may result in a revision of the schedule. During a meeting in Moscow on Mar 9 the sides did not come to agreement and decided to continue their talks in Tehran on Mar 11. While commenting on the Moscow talks, Atomstoyexport representatives said that the Bushehr project is being impeded by excessive politicization and inaccurate statements by the Iranian side.