Iran to Construct Two New N-Power Plants
Monday, May 28, 2012
Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Fereydoun Abbasi says the Islamic Republic intends to construct two new nuclear power plants alongside its existing facility in the southern coastal city of Bushehr.
Abbasi said that Iran is to build two new nuclear power plants, adding that the country will begin construction of one of them, a 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant, in Bushehr next year (starting March 21, 2013).
The senior Iranian nuclear official said his country does not have experience in building nuclear plants and foreign assistance will therefore help the Islamic Republic achieve such an objective.
Meanwhile, Abbasi highlighted that virtual (non-nuclear) fuel for the 40-megawatt heavy water nuclear reactor in Arak will be shipped to the central Iranian city next week. He said that nuclear fuel will be loaded into Arak nuclear reactor next year.
The AEOI director further said Iran has the expertise to build 10- and 20-megawatt (MW) pool-type nuclear research reactors, stressing that Iran is self-sufficient in the nuclear fuel cycle.
Iran's nuclear chief also said that the insistence of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on visiting the Parchin site is due to pressure from certain countries.
“The agency is interested in visiting Parchin due to pressure from countries that want the agency to investigate the issue,” the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said.
Abbasi added that Iran has not been convinced and “no documents or reason has been presented to us” to persuade us to arrange a visit to Parchin military site.
Referring to the West call for Iran to stop enrichment, Abbasi said, “We do not ask for permission from anyone to meet our country’s demands.”
“It would be better for them to negotiate with our country with regards to obtaining fuel and not ask us to stop producing fuel,” he added.
Pointing to Iran's agreement with the IAEA, Abbasi said Tehran seeks to hold talks with the agency and resolve issues, adding that negotiations still continue regarding the accord by experts from both sides.