From Russia with delays: Iran reactor not ready before 2009
MOSCOW — In its continuing on and off again relationship with Iran over it first nuclear energy reactor, Russia now says the Bushehr
reactor will require at least another year to reach full operations.
The prime contractor for Bushehr, Russia's state-owned Atomstroiexport,
said a timetable for Bushehr has not yet been completed. But the contractor
said the nuclear reactor would not begin full operations before 2009.
"I have promised to clarify the date for the completion of construction
of the Bushehr power plant, but I can say for sure that the station will not
be launched before the end of 2008," Atomstroiexport director-general Sergei
Shmatko said.
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On Dec. 17, Iran received the first shipment of nuclear fuel for the
1,000-megawatt Bushehr reactor. Officials said the delivery of U-235 for
Bushehr would require another two months, Middle East Newsline reported.
"We can predict that the Bushehr station will be launched no earlier
than the end of 2008 due to the current situation," Atomstroiexport
spokesman Irena Yesipova said.
The assertion by Atomstroiexport contrasted with Iranian hopes for
Bushehr to begin operations in early 2008. On Dec. 18, Iranian Atomic Energy
Organization deputy director-general Mohammed Saeedi said Bushehr could
begin generating up to 200 megawatts of electricity by March 2008.
But Ms. Yesipova said the Russian nuclear fuel shipments for Bushehr
would continue for at least the next two months. She said Bushehr would then
need another six months to prepare for the first fuel tests.
"Six months after the end of fuel deliveries, we will start tests with
the fuel," Ms. Yesipova said. "When the tests are successfully completed we
can launch the station. I can't say how long the tests will last. A
deviation from the schedule risks having a negative effect on the security
of the power station."
