Valentin Mezhevich, first vice chairman of FC Committee on Natural Monopolies

– We believe that the 5th unit of Kursk NPP must be finished

The growing shortage of power generating capacities in 14–16 regions and the increasingly frequent restrictions imposed in Moscow in cold weather (below -15 C) urge us to finish the projects we have not finished so far. We have units that are almost ready and, if launched, can give us much profit. So, we must finish them. The 5th unit of Kursk NPP is certainly one of them. First, it is almost ready, second, it enjoys all the safety advantages of the new generation of RBMK.

During the Feb 27 discussion we asked the KNPP and Rosenergoatom managers to tell us about the project: how much ready it is, what safety measures have been carried out there and if they can ensure the safety of the built RBMK and to provide against accidents similar to Chernobyl. That’s why all the reports were about preparations and safety.

We believe that this unit must be finished and are asking the Government to provide necessary resources (since the Federal Network Company and Rosenergoatom are state companies) so that the Federal budgets 2008–2011 have relevant financing. This will allow us to launch the unit and to build a power transmission line that will transmit the produced electricity to Moscow. 

Experts say that in 2011–2015 we will have problems with natural gas supplies to power plants working on gas. As a result, those facilities will have to reduce their outputs. So, the launch of this unit will help us to alleviate his problem.

On Apr 19 2007 the Government will consider the General Scheme for the Deployment of Electric Energy Facilities till 2020. Now we are working on it and I think that our recommendation for including the unit in the scheme was timely.