Hungary maintains plans to start construction of Paks 2 NPP by end of 2024 - foreign minister

SOCHI. March 25 (Interfax) - Hungary maintains plans to begin construction of the Paks 2 nuclear power plant before the end of 2024, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on the sidelines of the Atomexpo 2024 forum.

"Test pouring of concrete occurred last Friday, which is an important condition for the prospects of pouring the first concrete before the end of the year. In this case, we should be ready to include the new power units in the network at the beginning of the next decade," Szijjarto said.

Szijjarto also said that Rosatom state nuclear energy corporation remains the main contractor to construct the NPP.

"This is an international project. Rosatom is the main contractor, though there are many other subcontractors. We are pleased to be collaborating with Rosatom. We do not require any new main contractors," Szijjarto said.

JSC Atomstroyexport at the end of August 2023 began work on the main stage to construct the Paks 2 NPP in Hungary.

The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority at the end of August 2022 issued Rosatom a permit to construct the number five and number six power units at the NPP. The European Commission in May 2023 approved amendments to the agreements on constructing and financing the facility.