Uzatom is studying the experience of Hungary in operation and construction of nuclear power plants

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- A delegation of the Uzatom Agency visited Budapest (Hungary) on 11-13 November and Moscow on 14-15 November.

The visit was carried out in order to get acquainted with the Hungarian experience in the field of nuclear energy.

In Hungary, more than 50% of the country’s need for electricity is provided by the Paks-1 nuclear power plant, built in the 1980s, which consists of 4 power units based on VVER-440/213 water-cooled nuclear reactors.

Currently, the capacity of each unit has been increased to 500 MW and their service life has been extended. Such capacity was achieved as a result of the modernization of nuclear power plants, the improvement of the turbine and the use of more enriched fuel. Starting from 2032, power units will start decommissioning one by one, in connection with which the construction project of the Paks-2 NPP of the Russian design of the 3+ generation consisting of two power units based on VVER-1200 reactors has been launched. The launch of the first unit is scheduled for 2030 to ensure continuous generation of electricity.

The delegation of Uzatom held meetings with the minister for the Paks-2 NPP Minister “without portfolio” Janos Schuli, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Hungary Andrea Beatrix Kadar, Director General of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Regulator Dulyu Fichtinger, General Director of the NPP Paks-2 Istvan Lenkei and others.

As noted during the meetings, this project is associated with an increasing demand for electricity in the country. In 2009, the Paks-2 NPP project was approved by the Hungarian Parliament. The site for the construction of the Paks-2 NPP was chosen near the Paks-1 NPP, on the bank of the Danube River. In 2014, the regulator issued a license to conduct surveys at the site of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant and on 30 March 2017, it obtained a license to select the site of a new NPP. In general, the project was examined for stringent construction and safety requirements, which is confirmed by over 6,000 licenses obtained for the project. Currently, the project is at the stage of obtaining a license for the construction of a new NPP.

During the meetings, the Hungarian side stressed that the VVER-1200 generation “3+” of the Russian design was chosen because of the quality and safety, in connection with which the Intergovernmental Agreement was signed with the Russian Federation on the construction of nuclear power plants.

As the Hungarian side noted, to begin the project, public hearings of the project’s environmental impact assessment were held in the 41st settlement of Hungary, and public hearings were sent to 30 countries of the region, of which 11 countries participated, and in 7 countries public hearings were held at their request in their country.

In order to implement the Paks-2 NPP project, the Hungarian side signed an EPC contract with Rosatom State Corporation, as well as a support contract during the operation period and a fuel supply contract. This signing was preceded by the preparation of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the Russian Federation on attracting a state loan for the construction of nuclear power plants.

During the meetings, the Hungarian side noted that the nuclear power industry remains the basis for development of the energy sector, while Hungary in the near future plans to completely abandon coal and concentrate only on nuclear and renewable energy.

During their stay in Hungary, a delegation of the Uzatom Agency visited the Paks-1 NPP, located on the banks of Danube and five kilometers from the city of Paks.

The Uzbek delegation got acquainted with the unique training center at the Paks-1 NPP. It is fully equipped with real reactors and other equipment, which is used in the operating NPP. Following the meeting, an agreement was reached with the Hungarian colleagues on exploring issues of establishing cooperation in the field of training personnel for nuclear industry of Uzbekistan based on this training center, as well as in organizing study tours for representatives of Uzbekistan.

The delegation of the Uzatom Agency also visited Moscow, where negotiations were held with the First Deputy General Director for Operational Management of Rosatom State Corporation Alexander Lokshin and President of Rusatom Overseas Yevgeny Pakermanov.

The sides discussed further joint actions on implementation of the project, including in the field of training for the nuclear industry of the republic, the organization of internships at newly built and operating NPPs.

A meeting was also held with Uzbek students, sent to study at the National Research Nuclear University "Moscow Engineering and Physics Institute", during which discussions were held on the conditions of their residence and study.