21 Jul (NucNet): Russia has said financing is ready for completion of the unfinished Volgodonsk-2 reactor unit in the south-west of the country, which is now scheduled for start-up in April 2009.
The Nuclear Society of Russia (NSR) told NucNet that Sergei Obozov, acting director-general of state-owned utility Rosenergoatom, announced that 14 billion rubles (518 million US dollars, 413 million euros) had already been budgeted for work on the unit for this year. Mr Obozov said this sum would include the cost of equipment.
NSR said a contract has been signed with the general contractor for the unit’s completion and the first prepayment has been transferred to the plant.
A schedule of supplies has been agreed, along with a transportation scheme for heavy components, including the reactor itself.
The announcement follows last month’s formal approval by Russian president Vladimir Putin of an ambitious nuclear energy development programme that includes the completion of Volgodonsk-2, Kalinin-4 and Beloyarsky-4.
Russia has 31 operational nuclear units which generated a total of 147.6 terawatt hours of electricity in 2005, an increase of 3.2% compared to 2004. It is planning for up to 57 new units to start operation by 2030 so the country can meet its target of a 25% nuclear share, up from 15.6% today.
>>Related reports in the NucNet database (available to subscribers)
Russia Unveils Ambitious Plans For 40 New Nuclear Units (News No.41, 27 February 2006)
Putin Gives Formal Go-Ahead For Completion Of Three Russia Units (News No. 136, 27 June 2006)
Russia Confirms Plans For State-Owned Nuclear Enterprise (News No. 148, 6 July 2006)
