Alexander Prudnik, senior researcher of Sociology Institute of RAS, political expert (Nizhniy Novogord)

– One must give priority to economics and social security when deciding on NPP construction

Public hearings on the preliminary version of the environmental impact assessment of the construction and operation of the 1st and 2nd units of Nizhniy Novgorod Nuclear Power Plant will be held in Nizhniy Novgorod region on Sept 4 2009.

One must give priority to economics and social security when deciding on NPP construction. Today, everybody understands that big manufacturing companies are big investors and are the only real sources of social support for the residents of their host regions. So, the expectations of investments, new jobs, tax revenues, new infrastructure will overweigh the natural fear of nuclear energy.

Today, people are not as anxious as they were in the late 1980s-early 1990s. They have calmed down. They are beginning to forget the Chernobyl accident as there has been no more serious nuclear accidents in Russia and the world since then. On the other hand, there have been lots of other industrial and social disasters. So, the construction of a nuclear power plant is no longer a news that can cause negative response.

Some peripheral political forces may try to use this problem in their PR and image-making campaigns but they will hardly have any serious influence on the public opinion. As far as economics and social security are concerned, the plant must and will be built. I think that there will be both pro and contra speeches during the public hearings but there will be no protest.

Analysis of the energy balance in Nizhniy Novgorod region have shown that:

— in 2007 the shortage of power generating capacities in the region was 1,800MW;

— in 2020, if no additional power facilities are built, the shortage will grow to 4,000MW.

This proves that the region needs a nuclear power plant.

The preliminary site is situated near the village of Monakovo, Navashino district. The plant will consist of two units with a total capacity of 2,300MW. The necessity of the construction of Nizhniy Novgorod region has been confirmed by a special survey. In 2007 the energy shortage in the region totaled 1,800MW, in 2010 it is expected to grow 4,000MW.

The project will involve almost 8,000 people, the proceeds from profit tax will total 40bln RUR, property tax – 50bln RUR, land tax – 1bln RUR, transport tax – almost 50bln RUR.