Decision on Paks block 4 lifespan could come by year’s end

The decision on extending the operating life of block 4 of Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant in Paks could be made by the end of the year, a national development ministry official was quoted as saying at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA) most recent general assembly in Vienna on September 18-22.

Nuclear energy ensures a stable supply of electricity for consumers in Hungary and could cover a significant fraction of domestic energy demand in the future too, the ministry quoted state secretary for energy affairs András Aradszki as saying at the IAEA’s 61st general assembly, in a statement.

In his address, the state secretary noted that

the Paks upgrade project had received the necessary environmental protection permit as well as the site permit.

Since April, the project is being overseen and managed by a minister without portfolio, he added.

The lifespan of the plant’s third block was extended last December.

Hungary’s National Atomic Energy Office earlier extended the lifespans of the plant’s number one and number two blocks by another two decades past the originally planned 30 years. The Paks nuclear plant project will cost altogether 12 billion dollars. As agreed previously, the contribution of Hungarian suppliers will account for 5 billion dollars, namely 40 percent, he said.

The four blocks at the Paks plant account for almost 53 percent of domestic electricity generation.

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Photo: Daily News Hungary

Source: MTI