Russia to Finish First Unit at Chinese Nuclear Power Plant in December 2004

MOSCOW -- Russia will finish construction of the first power generating unit of the Tainwan [Jiangsu] nuclear power plant in December 2004, as planned, Director-General of Atomstroyexport company Viktor Kozlov has told Interfax.

"This schedule was confirmed by the Russian part of the Russian- Chinese subcommission for nuclear issues in Moscow," Kozlov said.

He also said the subcommission discussed the construction of the nuclear power plant in China. "China did not express any complaints. The parties are determined to observe the construction schedule," he said.

The Chinese delegation said China has not yet shaped its national energy strategy. Therefore, it is not clear yet which nuclear power plants will be built or where, Kozlov said.

The Atomic Energy Ministry told Interfax earlier that Russia is prepared to take part in building new nuclear power-generating units in China.

The contract to build the Tianwan plant is estimated at over 3bn dollars. The nuclear power plant will have two energy units with VVER-1000 reactors.

Atomstroyexport, which is building this energy facility, has already begun assembly operations.

Interfax news agency, Moscow