Rouhani introduces Iranian plans

Iran must become a builder of nuclear power plants, President Hassan Rouhani told an administrative meeting in the province of Bushehr. Rouhani also visited the Bushehr nuclear plant where he announced the construction of two more units.

Iran must become a builder of nuclear power plants, President Hassan Rouhani told an administrative meeting in the province of Bushehr. Rouhani also visited the Bushehr nuclear plant where he announced the construction of two more units.

President Rouhani visits Bushehr (Image: Iranian Presidency)

According to the Iranian Presidency, Rouhani described nuclear energy as a "necessity" and said that Iran should join the "club" of countries that build nuclear power plants. "We are the first country in the region with an atomic power plant," he said, adding that Iran would further develop peaceful nuclear technology after the next two units come into operation.

Bushehr 1 is a Russian-built VVER 1000 reactor and has been in operation, under IAEA safeguards, since 2013. In November 2014 Russia agreed to build up to eight new nuclear units in Iran, and contracts were signed for the construction of the two units that will make up Bushehr Phase II. At that time Rosatom noted that Iranian participation in the projects would be maximised. Construction is expected formally to begin this year.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News