Iran Loads Fuel into First Nuclear Power Plant

A file picture dated 21 August 2010 shows a general view of the Iranian nuclear power plant in Bushehr, southern Iran. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Iran has begun loading fuel into its first nuclear power plant Bushehr, the state Press TV has reported.

Russia will supply the nuclear power plant with fuel and will take away the nuclear waste from the facility, located in southern Iran, which is supposed to begin generating electricity in early 2011.

Although Iran has been sanctioned several times by the UN because of its separate uranium enrichment program, experts believe that as long as the plant is operated by Russia, there is a little chance of proliferation, the BBC reports.

The uranium fuel that the Bushehr plant will use is below the enrichment level needed for a nuclear weapon.

According to the BBC, the uranium used for weapons must be enriched by more than 90%. In comparison, the uranium used in the plant will be enriched by 3,5%.

Iran has also begun a trial program to enrich uranium at 20%, which would allegedly be used for medical research reactor. However, Western governments and Israel have been alarmed by the program, fearing that Tehran is planning to develop a nuclear weapon.

CNN reports that Iran signed a deal with Russia in 1995, according to which the plant was scheduled to be completed by 1999. However, the project was repeatedly delayed.

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