Russia to complete construction of NPP in Kudankulam by 2007

Russia fulfills the contract-established schedule of building the nuclear power plant (NPP) in the Indian town of Kudankulam (Tamil Nadu state), and is going to complete the construction by 2007. This information was disclosed by deputy atomic energy minister Vladimir Asmolov in an interview with RIA Novosti in New Delhi.

He took part in the session of the coordinating committee on the NPP construction in Kudankulam, after which the sides expressed satisfaction with the high rates and quality of the work.

The Russian-Indian contract for the building of two atomic blocks with a total capacity of two million kW was signed in July 1999. It cost has been estimated at $2.5 billion.

Asmolov reported that India is interested in the construction by Russia of still another two such blocks within the framework of the program to increase atomic energy production to 20 million kW by 2020.

According to him, Russia is ready to realize these projects. But India, as the most interested side, should be more active in negotiations with the IAEA on the non-proliferation of nuclear technologies, the deputy minister pointed out.

According to Vladimir Asmolov, Russia believes it is possible to implement similar projects in China, Iran, and Egypt in the future.