Russia and Hungary in agreement to begin construction Paks-2 NPP

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Aug 2023 19:42
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An agreement to transition to the direct construction of the Paks-2 nuclear power plant in Hungary was signed between Hungarian company Paksi Atomeromu Zrt and the Russian Rosatom affiliate company JSC ASE.

The area of the Paks Nuclear Power Plant to prepare the new Paks II construction. (AFP)

Hungarian company Paksi Atomeromu Zrt, through its CEO, Gergely Jakli, signed an agreement with Vice President Alexander Merten of the Russian Rosatom state nuclear corporation's foreign trade organization, JSC ASE, greenlighting the transition of the Paks nuclear power plant to the direct construction stage.

According to Sputnik, the nuclear power plant known as Paks-2 has been drawing the attention of the Hungarian industry and European industry in general, as well as global attention.

Merten stated that "the transition to the direct construction phase gives us the green light to start the production of the main power equipment."

In late 2014, Russia and Hungary signed an agreement on the construction of two additional advanced reactors for the Paks II nuclear power plant. The sides agreed that Russia would allocate 10 billion euros ($9.84 billion) in a loan to finance the construction of the units.

In August 2022, the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority (HAEA) issued a number of permits for the construction of the fifth and sixth units of the NPP.

In September of that year, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto told Sputnik that his country would not support EU sanctions if they affect the country's cooperation with Russia in the energy sector.

"That's why we will continue our approach that energy is an absolute red line, we don't know what's going to be in this new [sanctions] draft, but what I can for sure tell you that we will protect our national interest, namely, that we will not agree with any kind of sanctions which would put an obstacle to the energy cooperation, because it's a physical issue for us," Szijjarto said on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

According to the Foreign Minister, Russian energy resources are currently irreplaceable for Hungary.

"And physically, it is impossible currently, for my country to replace the Russian energy sources. It's impossible when it comes to oil, because the possible alternative pipeline has not enough capacity. And when it comes to gas, there is no other source and no other pipelines which could deliver the similar amount which would fall out because if you have an out falling volume, you need to be sure that you can replace it from somewhere," the diplomat explained.

Szijjarto stressed that his country will not allow the citizens to suffer from the conflict in Ukraine.

"I can speak on behalf of Hungary, we will avoid one situation, definitely, which would be that the Hungarian people would be forced to pay for a price of a war for which they have no responsibility," he indicated.