Tehran focuses on nuclear cooperation with Russia, plans multiple power plants
Iran is focusing on nuclear cooperation with Russia, particularly in the construction of nuclear power plants, Behrouz Kamalvandi, deputy head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said on Monday.
“In the past, we had nuclear cooperation with China, but currently there is no specific engagement with them because our focus is now on cooperation with Russia, especially as we aim to develop our own nuclear power plants,” Kamalvandi told ILNA.
He added that Iran’s relationship with Russia in nuclear technology is extensive, particularly in the power sector. “In addition to the existing plant [in Bushehr] that has been operating for 11 years, we have two other power plants under construction, which have made acceptable progress,” he said.
The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), located in south Iran on the Persian Gulf coast, has generated more than 72 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity since it was launched more than 11 years ago.
Kamalvandi also noted that beyond these three plants, Iran plans to build both large-scale and small modular reactors with Russian cooperation. He said cooperation with Russia extends to other areas, such as radiopharmaceutical production.
According to Kamalvandi, Iran is building a 300-megawatt plant in Darkhovin, using domestically built equipment.
“Building a power plant requires equipment including steam generators, boilers, vessels and turbines, all of which can now be produced domestically,” Kamalvandi said.
He highlighted Iran’s ability to manufacture plant components domestically and carry out maintenance, expressing hope for a bright future for its nuclear power plants.
The Darkhovin Nuclear Power Plant (also known as Esteghlal Nuclear Power Plant or Karoon) is a planned nuclear power plant located in Khuzestan province,