China, Russia Strike New Nuclear Power Plant Deal

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev (R) and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao (L) go to shake hands during a press statement after their talks in Moscow, Russia, 06 December 2012. EPA/BGNES

Russia will build two new reactors at China's Tianwan nuclear power plant under an inter-governmental agreement signed on Thursday.

The bilateral protocol on the construction of Tainwan's third and fourth reactors was signed in the presence of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao, RIA Novosti reported.

Construction work will begin in December this year, Rosatom civilian nuclear power corporation head Sergei Kiriyenko said.

"At the end of 2012, the first concrete will be poured for the foundation of the third and fourth reactors," Kiriyenko said, adding the nuclear power station's site could accommodate as many as eight reactors.

The Tianwan NPP is the largest facility the two countries have built under a bilateral cooperation agreement.

Its first stage included two power units with VVER-1000 reactors and was put into commercial operation in 2007.

Atomstroyexport and the Jiangsu Nuclear Power Corporation signed a general contract to build the NPP in 1997.

The Russian company was charged with design work, equipment and material supplies, construction and assembly work, putting it into operation and training Chinese personnel.

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