"Russia has not forgotten the difficult times": Iran announced that Rosatom will build 8 reactors

Rosatom will build eight nuclear power units in Iran. This was reported in Tehran. Experts note that Russia has not forgotten the help in difficult times and Iran is quite an attractive market for Rosatom.

Iran has signed a contract with Russia, and eight more nuclear power units will be built in the country. This was stated by the representative of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament, Ebrahim Rezai, with reference to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, Mohammad Eslami.

"According to the statement of the head of the Atomic Energy Organization, in accordance with the contract concluded with Russia, eight nuclear power plants (obviously reactors — editor's note) will be built in Iran, four of which will be located in Bushehr," Ebrahim Rezai told reporters, IRNA reports.

In 2011, Rosatom launched the first power unit at the Bushehr NPP, and in 2019 began construction of the second. The plans include the construction of a third. Previously, they were planned to be completed in 2025 and 2027.

"We help in any way we can within the framework of all obligations. The second and third units of the Bushehr NPP are being built, but, of course, we can go at the speed that the customer allows us to achieve for various reasons," said Alexey Likhachev, the head of Rosatom.

In January, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian and said that the deadlines for the construction of new power units at the Bushehr NPP were shifting somewhat amid payment problems.

"We have a huge project in the nuclear power industry. One unit (Bushehr NPP) is already working, it is working successfully. We are currently discussing the possibility of building additional blocks. Yes, everything is moving a little to the right there, it's connected with calculations, with payment — there are no secrets for anyone here. But nevertheless, the work is going on, it is moving, it is moving forward," Vladimir Putin said, Interfax reported.

The Iranian President, in turn, said that agreements on the construction of new units of the Bushehr NPP could be finalized during the meeting.

"Our agreements on the construction of a nuclear power plant are very good news. I think that today they can be finalized, our agreements in this area," the Iranian president said. "I tried and made every effort to eliminate all the problems that exist on our side until today."

Alexander Uvarov, director of AtomInfo-Center, notes that everything was going well for the new project, and this pleases, because Iran is a long—standing partner of Russian nuclear scientists.

"We have not forgotten how in difficult years for our industry, Iran paid for the construction of Bushehr with real money," the expert says.

According to him, the Iranian market is very promising, as Tehran has plans to build up to 20 GW (e) nuclear power units.

"Of course, it would be nice if Rosatom receives a significant part of these orders. Sites for new nuclear power plants in Iran has long been selected. This is mainly the south of the country, which is related to access to water resources," says Alexander Uvarov.

"People, factories, money. The whole triad will be in abundance — there will be a result on time," added the director of AtomInfo Center.