— We live in a real world, and the nuclear power industry is a real alternative to the other power sources, being not the worst option.

On November 22 the deputy hearing of the Baltic NPP construction project took place in Krasnoxznamensk (the Kaliningrad Region). The hearings were attended by the delegates from Rosatom State Corporation, the Kaliningrad Regional Authorities, Saint-Petersburg Atomenergoproject, JSC, the citizens of Krasnoznamenskiy and Nemanskiy districts and Sovetsk city.

Vladimir Rubtsov, Head of Kaliningradskaya TPP-2 Branch of INTER RAO Unified Energy Systems of Russia:

We live in a real world, and the nuclear power industry is a real alternative to the other power sources, being not the worst option. It involves certain risks and dangers either, as any technological progress and any complex systems entail the risks; we just have to put efforts to bring it down to the minimum.

The region population would benefit from the Baltic NPP construction. After the second power-generating unit commissioning at Kaliningradskaya TPP-2 the regional demand for electric power will be fully met for a certain period. However, there is a continuous economic development. By the completion of NPP construction in 2016 there will be a certain power shortage which would have to be replenished somehow. Where could we get the power for our happy and productive life in 2020, 2025? The answer is ready! It can be generated at KTPP-2 and a nuclear power plant!

Energy is the synonym of money. When we have much money available, there will be always a brother, friend or relative who will dispose of it. The same is with the energy. When it is abundant, there will always be a consumer at hand, who will use it as economically feasible.

As for the competition between the two power suppliers in the region, it will serve for the benefit of consumers. Besides, who can be sure now what should be expected in terms of gas situation in 2020? Does anyone plan to extract more if it? No, I can tell it for sure! Does anyone think it will get cheaper? No again.

Do we need to develop any alternative energy sources in the region, such as wind farms? We certainly do. However, apparently, such energy will be more costly. Besides, it can meet only the local demands, while being insufficient for a global solution. Don’t have illusions that wind or any other plants will be able to fully satisfy the power demand of the Kaliningrad citizens.

Nuclear power industry is the best option currently available to provide security of energy supply in the region, which is not the least thing environmentally. NPP operations cause the least damage to the nature in terms of air emissions and climatic change. The plant will be constructed in compliance with state-of-the-art technologies.

It should be mentioned that it is expected to construct two units of at least 1,170 MWt each at the Baltic NPP. The estimated cost of the Baltic NPP construction will make over 194 bn. rubles in prices of the first quarter of 2009. At the peak period of the Baltic NPP construction over 8,000 will be employed there. After the plant commissioning the regional budgets of all levels will be getting up to 2 bn. rubles every year.