Russian nuclear energy firm begins work on main phase of Paks-II nuclear plant in Hungary

By Gokhan Ergocun

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Russian state-owned nuclear energy company, Rosatom, on Tuesday began construction work on the main phase of the Paks-II nuclear plant in central Hungary.

The main construction work began after the parties signed amendments to the contract on Friday for the construction of two new power units at Paks-II Nuclear Power Plant, Rosatom said in a statement released.

The five-meter-deep pit for the sixth power unit, which will be prepared by Hungarian firm Duna Aszfalt Kft, is significant as it marks the start of extensive work, the Russian firm said.

About a million cubic meters of soil will be extracted from the pit.

Rosatom's engineering division, Atomstroyexport JSC, has begun the main construction work on two new 3+ Generation VVER-1200 power units.

Work on the construction site of the 6th power unit, which is the size of four football fields, is scheduled to continue until the end of the fall, the statement said.

The approval to begin the main construction phase also allows for the production of main power equipment to start in both Russian companies and Rosatom-related organizations.