Atomstroiexport: Bushehr Power Plant construction continues

Russian contractor of Bushehr Power Plant "Atomstroiexport" said the construction of the plant is continuing normally, but the issue of delivering some equipment which is provided by a third country has not yet been solved.

Atomstroiexport spokeswoman Irina Esipova in an exclusive interview with IRNA on Saturday said, "The Iranian side paid part of its due payments in March, but they are not enough for accelerating the completion."

She refused to give the exact time of commissioning the power plant and said, " Atomstroiexpoet experts are analyzing the situation of the Bushehr nuclear power plant."

Esipova added, "I cannot give comments on the exact time of commissioning the plant or whether there would be delay in it." Managing Director of Iran"s Atomic Energy Production and Development Company (IAEPDC) Ahmad Fayazbakhsh is in Moscow to talk with the Russian contractor officials.

According to an informed source, Fayazbakhsh at the head of a delegation from Iran"s Atomic Energy Organization (IAEO) is discussing technical and financial issues which are sources of difference between the two sides.

The Bushehr Power Plant was scheduled to start its experimental work in September and be operational in November, but because of some technical and financial problems they may postpone.