Gennady Shirokonosov, Vice Chairman for Industry and Energy of Kursk region

– The completion of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP will solve the problem of energy shortfall in the region

«For 5 years already we have been fighting for the completion of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP,» says the vice chairman for industry and energy of Kursk region Gennady Shirokonosov. Shirokonosov says that he, when member of the Federation Council, as well as the present Kursk representatives to the Russian Federal Assembly and the regional authorities have repeatedly presented financial-economic arguments in favor of the project. Shirokonosov says that the unit is almost ready. Already today Kursk region is short of 3.5bln KWh. The shortage is covered by the energy system of Central Russia. The analysis of the energy situation in the five regions receiving electricity from KNPP has shown that by 2010 their industry, agriculture and other branches will require 40bln KWh, while the NPP will produce just 30bln KWh.

Anatoly Chubays and RAO UES are back-pedaling the project, but they have made a mistake when estimating the energy demand of the regions. They say that Kursk and 15 other regions have surplus of energy, but their estimates are based on the information of Economic Development Ministry. The Ministry received the information from the regions, while the regions, when sending the information, mentioned the minimum amount of energy they need to be able to develop their economy. This is the minimum, while in reality their economies are developing much quicker and, consequently, need much more energy.