Dr Philip E. Lewis, CEO, VaasaETT Global Energy Think Tank (Finland)

– Such big investments require high confidence

If the Baltic states, say, Poland or Lithuania, show interest in receiving electricity from the new Baltic NPP in Kaliningrad region, it would be absolutely reasonable on the part of the neighboring states to try to ensure the safety of their energy supplies in the face of the energy crisis that may follow the shut-down of Ignalina NPP in Dec 2009.

This source might become a comparatively reliable and safe way to ensure additional energy supplies. Setting the politics aside, the Baltic states have nothing else left but to balance their energy basket. The financial participation in the Baltic NPP project would, naturally, help them to ensure this balance, however, such big investments require high confidence in their safety and clear knowledge of the terms and priorities of energy distribution.

By the way, the participation of partners from the EU in the Baltic NPP project would enhance the EU’s confidence in the safety of the plant, Lewis said in an interview to REGNUM NA.

To remind, in Dec 2009, on the insistence of the EU, Lithuania will have to shut down its Ignalina NPP. The substituting Visaginas NPP project is now under question as two of its participants, Estonia and Poland, have said that they are going to build their own plants.

Russia will be the first to build a new NPP in the Baltic region. Director General of Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation Sergey Kiriyenko said on Apr 15 that the construction of the 1st unit will be finished in 2016. 51% of the plant will belong to the state, 49% to the investor. Kiriyenko said that lots of Russian and foreign partners are showing interest in this project.