Iran seeks partners for construction of 19 reactors
NICOSIA — Iran is preparing to launch a multi-billion-dollar nuclear
energy project that would be open to foreign firms.
Officials said Teheran plan to issue a tender for the
construction of 19 nuclear power plants. They said the tender would be open
to both Iranian and international companies and establish energy reactors
throughout the country.
A leading parliamentarian said each of the energy reactors would have
the capacity to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity, Middle East Newsline reported. Kazem Jalali, a
spokesman for parliament's national security and foreign policy committee,
said 19 nuclear energy facilities would be built.
Jalali's disclosure marked the latest statement of intent regarding
Iran's nuclear program. Over the last year, Iranian officials have reported
plans to construct from two to six nuclear reactors.
In a $1 billion project, Iran has sought to complete its first nuclear
reactor at Bushehr. The prime contractor, Russia's state-owned
Atomstroiexport, said Bushehr would not be operational until at least 2009.
Officials said Bushehr would help Teheran with the tools to construct
nuclear reactors without foreign assistance. On Dec. 25, Deputy Energy
Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Ali Yusef-pour said Iran would be capable
to build its own nuclear reactor by 2013.
Yusef-pour said the state-owned Iranian Atomic Energy Organization would
issue a tender for the construction of a 360 megawatt nuclear power plant in
Darkhowain. He said Darkhowain would be operational by 2016.
