Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Bushehr nuclear power plant to enter power grid next year

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Tehran, Dec 22, IRNA
Iran-Nuclear-Spokesman
The Bushehr nuclear power plant should enter Iran's power grid in next Iranian year according to previous plans, government spokesman, Gholam-Hossein Elham said on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters at his weekly press conference, the spokesman expressed hope that the "positive trend" of completion of Iran's first nuclear power plant in the south would continue.

He made the remarks commenting on a question about recent statements by Russian officials that the 1,000-megawatt station would become operational in 2008.

Russia delivered the first shipment of nuclear fuel to Iran for Bushehr power plant on December 17.

The power station is being built with the help of Russia's Atomstroiexport corporation.

The company said in a statement on Monday that the first consignment included a total of 163 main and 17 reserve assemblies of U-235 enriched to 3.62 percent.

The delivery process will take up to two months to complete, Atomostroiexport added.

The power plant was supposed to start operation in September 2007.

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