Alexander Perov, senior expert of National Energy Security Foundation

– Construction of NPP in Nizhniy Novgorod region will boost the economic development of the region

Public hearings on the preliminary environmental impact assessment of the construction and operation of the 1st and 2nd units of Nizhniy Novgorod Nuclear Power Plant took place in Navashino, Nizhniy Novgorod region on Sept 4 2009.

It is generally known that tax profit is one of the key sources of budgetary revenues. The construction of a nuclear power plant in Nizhniy Novgorod region will boost the economic development of the region. It will give the local budget 40bln RUR in profit tax alone. The social situation will also be improved: the project will give jobs to several thousands of people.

So, I think that the construction of Nizhniy Novgorod NPP is a beneficial project. The NPP will certainly enhance the investment appeal of the region.

Nizhniy Novgorod NPP is a serial project. A similar project is presently being implemented at Novovoronezh NPP-2. The general designer is Nizhniy Novgorod Atomenergoproekt (part of Atomenergoprom), the owner is Energoatom Concern OJSC (100% subsidiary of Atomenergoprom OJSC).

The plant will have two 1,170MW reactors and will generate over 17bln KWh a year and employ as many as 1,000 people. At the peak time the construction will involve as many as 8,000 people. The 1st reactor is supposed to be launched in 2017. The plant will be situated in Navashino district of Nizhniy Novgorod region.

The analysis of the power and capacity balance in Nizhniy Novgorod region has shown that in 2007 the region was short of 1,800MW while in 2020 it will need as much as 4,000MW.

This is a socially significant project: it will give the region 40bln RUR in profit tax, 50bln RUR in property tax, 1bln RUR in land tax and 50bln RUR in transport tax.