Hungary’s Paks NPP extension project gets crucial permit

Hungary’s National Atomic Energy Office has issued the necessary permits for the pouring of the first concrete into the foundations of the fifth block to the Paks nuclear plant, general contractor Rosatom said on Wednesday, adding that the actual work could start in February next year.

Paks II to be first modern, Russian-designed NPP in the EU

The new permits “confirm that the project is in full compliance with strict international, European, and Hungarian nuclear safety requirements”, the company said. They added that the permits give the green light to starting the full scale of construction, including preparations for the first concrete casting, the initial phase of the actual construction of the new block, the Hungarian News Agency wrote.

According to Rosatom, Paks II will be “the first modern, Russian-designed nuclear power plant in the European Union using VVER-1200 reactors”.

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Operation until the 22nd century

The statement added that the ratio of local suppliers to the project could reach 40 percent, while many European, Asian, and US companies are also involved.

The new block is designed to operate for 60 years, with a possibility to extend its cycle by 20 years.

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