Iran begins fueling nuclear power plant

[News_Editor]

Iran begins fueling nuclear power plant

2010-10-26 19:51:15 GMT+7 (ICT)

TEHRAN, IRAN (BNO NEWS) – Iran on Tuesday morning began loading fuel into its single nuclear power plant reactor, taking its first steps to begin its operation, state-run media reported.

The power plant, which is located on the outskirts of Bushehr near the Persian Gulf and successfully completed all the necessary testing – including 250 bar pressure and 110 bar pressure – is expected to begin its operations in about three months.

Ali Akbar Salehi, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said the plant would join the national power grid in early 2011 once all 163 fuel rods are injected to its core.

Russia, for at least the next 10 years, will be supplying uranium fuel for the 1,000-megawatt nuclear power plant, but the enrichment level will be considerably less than the amount needed to develop a nuclear weapon.

According to officials, the plant will be monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The United States, as well as Israel, have said they are not extremely worried about this power plant in particular but both governments have expressed concern over Iran's nuclear program.

The Bushehr power plant began its construction in 1975 under a German contract. However, following the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the contract was canceled. In 1992, Iran signed a new contract with Russia to complete the plant. After several delays, the first nuclear plant in the Middle East is set to begin operating.

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