Construction of Bushehr nuclear power plant in Iran continues, debt issues resolved - Novak

TEHRAN. May 17 (Interfax) - Russia and Iran have discussed cooperation in the nuclear field, construction of power units II and III of the Bushehr nuclear power plant continues, and the project is not stopping, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told reporters following his visit to Iran.

Issues regarding the debt have been resolved, and it has actually been reduced, Novak said, noting that the parties are discussing further financing of the project using various mechanisms.

Russia handed over Unit I of the Bushehr NPP with a capacity of 1,000 MW to Iran in 2013. In 2016, construction began on the second stage (energy units II and III). Work on the II power unit is planned for completion in 2024, and on the III power unit, in 2026. The total capacity of the two power units will be 2.1 thousand MW.

As of mid-2021, Iran's debt to Russia related to the construction of the nuclear power plant was about $500 million.