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Middle East and North Africa

Bushehr nuclear power plant transfer protocol signed in Iran

Control over the power plant to be gradually transferred from Russia to Iran

Archive photo EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

Archive photo EPA/ABEDIN TAHERKENAREH

MOSCOW, September 23 (Itar-Tass) - A protocol on the transfer of the Bushehr nuclear power plant to Iranian specialists was signed in Iran on Monday, September 23.

Under the protocol, Russia’s guarantees will apply to the Bushehr nuclear power plant for two years and a certain number of Russian specialists will remain at the power plant to advise the Iranian personnel and provide technical assistance.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said: “Control over Bushehr nuclear power plant will be completely transferred to Iranian side after 2 years of warranty and 7,000 hours of operation.” He added: “The people of Iran were waiting for the Bushehr nuclear power plant for 37 years and today they have achieved the desired result,” Islamic Republic News Agency quotes the official. “In the near future we will witness construction of the second power plant unit in Bushehr,” he concluded.

Bushehr NPP is the first nuclear power plant not only in Iran but also in the Middle East. With a capacity of 1,000 MW, the plant is located 18 km from the city of Busher on the Persian Gulf.

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