Iran builds first power plant since nuclear deal
Iran builds first power plant since nuclear deal
Iran has begun work on its second nuclear power plant with Russian assistance - the first major power project since the nuclear deal with the US last year.
2 min read
Iran will begin work on its second power plant with Russia's help [Getty]
Iran began building its second nuclear power plant with Russian help on Saturday, the first such project since last year's landmark nuclear deal with world powers.
The project will eventually include two power plants expected to go online in 10 years.
Construction on the second plant is set to begin in 2018. The project will cost more than $8.5 billion and produce 1,057 megawatts of electricity.
"Construction of the power plant is a symbol of Iran enjoying the results of the nuclear deal," Senior Vice-President Ishaq Jahangiri said at a ceremony marking the start of the project.
"We will continue working with Russia as a strategic partner and friend," he added.
The ceremony was held in the southern port city of Bushehr, where Iran's sole operational nuclear reactor, also built with Russian assistance, produces 1,000 megawatts.
It went online in 2011, and the two countries have agreed to cooperate on future projects.
Russia, along the United States, Britain, France, Germany and China, reached a deal with Iran last year in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
Iran rejects Western allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its atomic program is for entirely peaceful purposes.
Western nations do not view the Bushehr plant as a proliferation risk because Russia supplies the fuel for the reactor and takes away spent fuel that could otherwise be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
The project will eventually include two power plants expected to go online in 10 years.
Construction on the second plant is set to begin in 2018. The project will cost more than $8.5 billion and produce 1,057 megawatts of electricity.
"Construction of the power plant is a symbol of Iran enjoying the results of the nuclear deal," Senior Vice-President Ishaq Jahangiri said at a ceremony marking the start of the project.
"We will continue working with Russia as a strategic partner and friend," he added.
The ceremony was held in the southern port city of Bushehr, where Iran's sole operational nuclear reactor, also built with Russian assistance, produces 1,000 megawatts.
It went online in 2011, and the two countries have agreed to cooperate on future projects.
Russia, along the United States, Britain, France, Germany and China, reached a deal with Iran last year in which Tehran agreed to curb its nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions.
Iran rejects Western allegations that it is seeking nuclear weapons, insisting its atomic program is for entirely peaceful purposes.
Western nations do not view the Bushehr plant as a proliferation risk because Russia supplies the fuel for the reactor and takes away spent fuel that could otherwise be used to make weapons-grade plutonium.
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