Connection of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant to the power grid is a momentous event for both Iran and Russia. It is a unique project that is over 40 years old. The power plants construction was begun in 1974 by Germanys Kraftwerk Union AG, a joint venture of Siemens and another engineering giant, AEG. The contract envisaged the launch of two PWR units with a capacity of 1.2 GW each by 1981. In 1980, after international sanctions against Iran were introduced, Germany withdrew from the project, even though work on the first unit was 85% complete. During the war between Iran and Iraq, the plant was bombed several times, resulting in significant damage to its facilities, including the vessel of the reactor.
The German design of the plant took into consideration its location in a seismically active zone. Russian experts also bore this factor in mind when building the plants safety mechanisms. It should be noted that there are many nuclear power plants that are located in seismically active zones around the world, including in the United States. This in itself is not a reason for concern. The Russian reactor is a third generation reactor that ensures a higher level of safety than virtually any nuclear power plant that was put into operation before 1990. So the fears about Bushehrs safety because of its location in an area prone to earthquakes seem groundless.
origin: Bushehr 1 ready. Will there be Bushehr 2?
The German design of the plant took into consideration its location in a seismically active zone. Russian experts also bore this factor in mind when building the plants safety mechanisms. It should be noted that there are many nuclear power plants that are located in seismically active zones around the world, including in the United States. This in itself is not a reason for concern. The Russian reactor is a third generation reactor that ensures a higher level of safety than virtually any nuclear power plant that was put into operation before 1990. So the fears about Bushehrs safety because of its location in an area prone to earthquakes seem groundless.
origin: Bushehr 1 ready. Will there be Bushehr 2?
