– Construction of new nuclear reactors is a chance for thousands of people to find jobs

Public hearings on environment impact assessment of the construction of the 3rd and 4th units of Rostov NPP took place in Volgodonsk Feb 17. Over 1,700 people took part in the hearings: representatives of public organizations, companies, business community, the administration and Duma of Volgodonsk, ecologists and doctors, constructors and operators. They have adopted a protocol containing their remarks and recommendations.

We will always need cheap electricity and we will need it especially urgently when we start building the Sochi-2014 complex. By that time Rostov Nuclear Power Plant will already have two units.

The construction of new nuclear reactors is a chance for thousands of people to find job now that it is especially hard to find one.

At its peak the project is expected to involve as many as 10,000 people.

Presently, we are observing Rosatom’s high activity on foreign markets: shortly we are expecting a verdict concerning our offer to build an NPP in Turkey (a few days ago Minister of Energy of Russia Sergey Shmatko said that the cost of that project might range from $18bln to $20bln). We are already building a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria. However, our achievements abroad must not overshadow the needs of our national economy. The construction of new reactors at Rostov NPP is a very important project both economically and socially. Presently, more and more Russian regions are beginning to realize that nuclear energy is the best way for them to solve their energy problems. NPP construction is a costly project and, consequently, is a source of big financial inflows in the economy of the host region. Now that we are experiencing an economic slowdown we do need such injections. NPP construction is also a very complex project requiring high quality and high qualifications. This will inevitably enhance the quality of construction in the region, in general.

This project will certainly benefit Rostov region and Southern Russia, which is developing quicker than its energy capacities.

NOTE

Specialists of the general contractor of the project, Nizhniy Novgorod Atomenergoproekt, made report on the radiation and ecological safety of the plant, the anticipated effects of the project for the residents of the 30-km zone, the technical parameters of the units, the quality of the construction, the economic prospects of the plant and the region, as a whole.

The rapporteurs pointed out that as many as 8,000 people would be involved in the project at its peak time. The four units of Rostov NPP will give the city 3,500 jobs, almost 2bln RUR a year in taxes and 175mln RUR in direct investments.

The units will have no thermal effect on the cooling pond as they will have autonomous cooling towers.

The units will be seismically stable: they will be able to stand a 7-point earthquake.

The representatives of the general contractor pointed out that most advanced equipment and very effective safety systems would be used at the new units.