Alexander Andrianov, deputy director of the Fuel and Energy Complex Department of the Ministry of Industry and Energy of Russia, candidate of technical sciences

– In the coming 12–15 years the electricity consumption in the southern part of the UES of the Center will grow by 1.5 times, at least

Novovoronezh and Kursk NPPs are the key energy suppliers of this region. The construction of the 5th unit of Kursk NPP needs additional financing for electricity transmission lines. The plant’s RBMK units will be gradually decommissioned. The 5th unit of Novovoronezh NPP is still operative. Voronezh and Kursk regions have surplus of energy but they give it to their neighbors, Tambov, Lipetsk, Orel, Bryansk and Belgorod. The energy demand in those regions is quickly growing: in 2005–2006 it almost redoubled.

In the coming 12–15 years the electricity consumption in the southern part of the United Energy System of the Center will grow by 1.5 times, at least. The construction of two Novovoronezh NPP-2 units will cover part of this demand. In fact, NPPs have no alternatives as traditional fuel is growing in price: in the last five years the prices of gas have climbed by 2.6 times, coal by 1.7 time, masout by 1.6 times.

To be more precise, there are alternative to nuclear energy but they are not efficient as they will require additional gas supplies and will place additional economic burdens on the region.

The construction of a new NPP will give the region stability and confidence in the future. The growing demand for highly-qualified personnel will contribute to the development of the social sector, to the inflow of youth.