The transfer of the nuclear reactor of Bushehr nuclear power plant to
a critical condition, in which the reaction becomes self-sustaining,
is scheduled for February 19, IranNews reports.
The construction of the Bushehr plant began in the 1970s. In 1995 an
agreement was reached on the completion of the project with the help
of Russian specialists. Back then, the power plant was expected to be
launched in 1999, but its development was postponed.
The reactor will be working at first only at 30 percent of its
capacity, then at 50 percent and only then, if all goes according to
prescribed technical regulations, will the reactor operate at its full
potential capacity of 1000 megawatts. All work on the construction of
the power plant was conducted by Russian and Iranian nuclear
scientists under the supervision of IAEA observers. However, the
Bushehr plant has provoked divergent opinions regarding its safety.
