Hungary agrees with Rosatom on schedule for nuclear power plant expansion

The Hungarian government has agreed with Russian conglomerate Rosatom on a timetable for the construction of two new units at Hungary’s Paks nuclear power plant. The MTI news agency reported this today. Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said at a joint press conference with Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev that the new units would begin operating at the start of the next decade.

Hungary signed an amended construction contract with Russia in August for the expansion of the Paks plant, ending the project’s preparatory phase and paving the way for construction work to begin. Rosatom is the project’s main contractor. Szijjártó nevertheless noted that 94 Hungarian companies, as well as companies from the United States, Germany, France, Sweden and Austria, are also involved in the project.

Likhachev said that, given the strict requirements and European regulations, Rosatom had appointed its best specialists to manage the project. He acknowledged that the international environment is currently not the friendliest for Rosatom, but said the company would work on the project with maximum commitment despite external pressure. He also stressed the project’s international character and said the number of foreign companies involved in construction would increase.

Likhachev confirmed that the new units would be handed over at the start of the next decade. He added that the supply of fuel rods for the plant’s additional capacity would also be ensured. He also said that Rosatom was ready to work with Hungary on any nuclear energy projects in the future. Minister Szijjártó said that securing energy supplies was not an ideological or political issue for Hungary, but a matter of „physical reality“.

Hungarian-Russian energy cooperation is frequently criticised in the European Union. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has long been known for his good relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has repeatedly called for the lifting of sanctions imposed by the EU on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Hungary is also seeking to continue importing Russian gas and oil.