Iran will start its first nuclear power plant in mid 2008. It’s the first step towards the goal set by Iran of producing 20, 000 MW electricity through nuclear energy by 2028.
The first nuclear power plant of Iran will start functioning in mid 2008. The Bushehr nuclear power station will generate electricity at 50% of its 1,000 Megawatt (MW) capacity this year, according to Manouchehr Mottaki, Foreign Minister of Iran, as per the news published by Voanews.
This announcement came after two days, on December 19, 2007, when Iran received second consignment of enriched uranium from Russia. However, the plant is still building.
Iranian officials said that the grounds would be ready for injection of nuclear fuel after completion of the nuclear fuel by Russia. It would be take place in eight stages. Iran is planning to generate 20, 000 MW electricity through nuclear energy by 2028 to meet its soaring energy requirements. It also says that a 360 MW nuclear power plant is under construction in the Southwest Khuzestan province.
However, the construction was halted due to payment disputes between Russia and Iran. Russia started sending internationally supervised deliveries of nuclear fuel to Iran in the month of December 2007 under some conditions, which say that it would return all the used fuel to Russia. Russia is likely to deliver 82 Tons of nuclear fuel to Iran for running the reactor.
Russia said that uninterrupted supply of nuclear fuel makes it unnecessary for Iran to enrich its own fuel. United States and its western allies are accusing Iran for developing nuclear arms under the guise of civilian nuclear program. On the other hand, Iran says that its nuclear program is only for generating electricity. Iran also says that it needs its own nuclear fuel to supply fuel to a series of reactors it is planning to construct.
According to a Research Analyst at RNCOS, “Iran generates electricity primarily by conventional methods - thermal and hydroelectric power generations. However, both the sources of power generation are not environment friendly. Hence, nuclear power is a viable option that can provide clean energy to Iran to meet its energy requirements. Iran is a developing country and its energy needs are growing with its growth. So its shift towards nuclear power will help it to meet its fast growth and growing electricity demand.”
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