Hungary expects to begin preparatory works on Paks II NPP in 2017, construction to begin in 2018
BUDAPEST/MOSCOW. Feb 2 (Interfax) - Hungary expects to begin preparatory works on the Paks II Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in 2017 with construction to begin in 2018, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said.
"We spoke particularly about cooperation in the sector of nuclear energy. We determined that we have already succeeded in removing most of the barriers. There remains one open issue. We are waiting for a decision by the European Union on that issue. We are convinced that our agreements are completely in line with EU requirements and we really hope to begin preparatory works already this year for the Paks II NPP, and for construction [of stations] to begin immediately in 2018," Orban said at a press conference after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest.
He also said he did not speak with the Russian President about Russian credit for the further construction of the Paks NPP.
"In terms of the previous question [regarding credit for the Paks NPP], we did not talk about this. Hungary's financial position in the international economic area has improved as of late, but we have a good agreement with Russia. We do not want to risk it, we are trying to implement it," Orban said. He added that "we expect not to wait until construction begins because this is a nuclear power plant which everybody talks about but nobody has seen, not even the shovel for the first hole has been dug. In other words, we are waiting for that. One shouldn't review the agreement for the day's agenda now. We want to implement that which I signed with the president earlier."
Hungary expects to receive the license to the Paks II NPP site in the spring of 2017 with construction expected to begin in 2018. The reactor units are expected to go into commercial operation in 2025-2026.