Sergey Bekov, member of the Federation Council from Aga-Buriat Autonomous District, member of the FC Committee on Natural Monopolies

— The project for completion of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP fully meets all modern safety standards

On Feb 27 the Federation Council Committee on Natural Monopolies considered the request of the governor of Kursk region for completing the construction of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP and decided to recommend the Government to finish the project by 2010. The Committee also recommended the Government to finance the construction of a high-voltage power transmission line for electricity supplies to Moscow region.

The decision our committee has passed today reflects the state attitude towards energy problems. We are not going to reproach anybody for not completing the project so far. This makes no sense. Reproaches will not help.

What we need today is to get down to work and to quickly finish the project so as the plant can work at a full capacity. Much money has been invested in this project and it would be illogical – unbefitting of a state – to discard a 70% ready facility.

Of course, if the project was unsafe, we would not invest a single ruble in it, but, as far as we understood from the report of KNPP Director Yuri Slepokon, today, the project fully meets all modern safety standards.