Construction of two new nuclear plants starts by yearend: Official

Construction of two new nuclear power plants is likely to get underway by the end of the year, said the deputy director of the Iranian Atomic Energy Organization.

Arman-e Emrooz daily on Tuesday quoted Behrooz Kamalvandi as saying that final arrangements, which are legal, commercial and technical in nature, are being made for construction of the new plants.

He described as positive his recent visit to Moscow and the meetings he held there with his Russian counterpart and said, “The two sides are close to clinching an agreement on construction near Bushehr of two more nuclear power plants with a minimum capacity of 1,000 MW, equipped with desalination units.”

He went on to say that talks about the costs of the project are complete, adding the new plants are similar to the one the Russians have built in Bushehr. “The new plants are more modern and equipped with desalination units which help us supply a large amount of water for drinking and agricultural purposes in the south.