Specialists have started loading fuel rods for the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the south of Iran. The process will be followed by assemblage of the reactor, testing of equipment and launch of the reactor at minimal productivity rate. Work is held according to schedule, Atomstroyexport said.
Fuel was removed from the reactor at the request of the Russian side. There were fears that metallic pieces smaller than 3 mm were in the reactor with the water. The reactor was washed to avoid any risk.
The reason for the malfunction of the pumping machine was explained by its construction. The pumping equipment was brought in in the 1970s. Russia was to integrate them according to the contract.
Russia and Iran signed a deal on cooperation in nuclear energy on August 24, 1992. An agreement on construction of a nuclear power plant in Iran was signed on August 25, 1992. A contract concluding construction of the first energy block was signed in January 1995. A supplement to the contract was signed in 1998. The first energy block is planned to produce 1000 MW, using the B-466 reactor equipment. The main equipment transfer to the power plant started in 2001.
