Russia's Atomstroyexport (ASE) hopes to start designing the Bushehr II NPP for Iran and to begin pre-construction work for two units, a source in Rosatom told journalists. The contract for construction of Bushehr Phase II was signed by ASE and the Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran (NPPD) in November 2014. It was planned to start work at the site by March 2016 but in April Iran said construction was being delayed for technical reasons. "The Iranian customer should define the seismic resistance parameters of the site and then ASE can start design and pre-construction work," the Rosatom source said. He also specified that the two reactors will be built using Iranian funds.
Earlier the formal commissioning of unit 1 at Bushehr was completed. Construction was started in 1974 by a Germany's Siemens/KWU. ASE took over the project in 1998 and in May 2011 the reactor was brought to the minimum controlled power. In August 2012 it was brought to full power.
In September 2013, the preliminary acceptance record was signed by NPPD and the plant's two-year warranty operation began," the Rosatom explained. In August, 2015 the final acceptance record of the power unit was signed. "On 20 April this year NPPD was granted an operating license and the final acceptance record of Bushehr 1 came into force," the source said, adding that Russia continues to provide assistance in the operation and maintenance of the reactor, and to supply nuclear fuel.
