– If we fail to build new reactors at Volgodonsk NPP we will face energy crisis

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.

The energy consumption in Rostov region began to grow in late 1999 with the average annual growth being 3%. Each year the local industry, transport and communications needs ¼ more energy than a year before. By 2010 the annual energy consumption growth will rise to 5%. The share of the industry in the energy consumption will grow by 5%, while the share of domestic consumption will drop by 1%-2%. This does not mean that domestic consumption will decline – I am talking about its share in the total. In this light, Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant appears to be our only hope.

Today, the power generating and transmitting facilities of the region are working at full capacity and the progress we have observed in the local economy in the last years fully depends on the availability of energy and energy sources.

In any case by 2010 the energy system of Rostov region will depend on supplies of power and capacity from the wholesale market. Even though the present crisis may result in a considerable decline in energy consumption, nevertheless, in the long-term future the demand for energy will steadily grow.

It should be noted that the North Caucasus has very limited fuel resources. So, we cannot rely on the local gas reserves. The output of oil and masout may also decline. The greater unexplored part of the local gas reserves lies very deep in scattered small mines. So, its mining appears to be not very effective.

If we fail to build new reactors at Volgodonsk NPP, we will face an energy crisis.

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.