– Enlargement of capacities of Volgodonsk NPP will enhance attractiveness of Southern Federal District as a whole

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 enlargement of the capacities of Volgodonsk Nuclear Power Plant will substantially enhance the attractiveness of Southern Federal District, as a whole. I mean not only the construction of the Olympic complex but also the active development of the industry and infrastructure.

New power generating capacities (whose construction requires quite a long period of time) will answer the question: should we build big enterprises in Russia (for both national and foreign investors) and, if yes, where?

The development of nuclear energy will help the region to become one of the biggest industrial centers of Russia. In fact, Olympic construction may become a basis for the economic prosperity of a whole region.

In broader sense, the successful construction of the new reactors of Volgodonsk NPP – in full compliance with all international standards – will show our European partners the skills and technologies of our nuclear power engineer. This will certainly help to enlarge the portfolio of our foreign contracts – it will be a kind of presentation of the competitive advantages of our nuclear industry.

The gas conflict with Ukraine has shown that Europe must do something to guarantee its energy security. Lots of projects – kinds of brick-stones of this security — have been speeded up, enlarged or revised in the last months. Bulgaria, who is heavily dependent on gas supplies, can now breathe a sigh of relief as now it has a secure alternative to gas – a nuclear power plant. Belene NPP may also become a kind of advertisement for new Russian reactors.

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.