Russia eyes nuclear power plant tender in FinlandApril 5, 2013 - 10:42 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russia is planning to take part in the future tender to build a nuclear power plant (NPP) in Finland, RIA Novosti reported citing a government source. The issues will be on the agenda of the talks between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and his Finnish counterpart Jyrki Katainen on the sidelines of the Baltic Sea Forum in St. Petersburg on Friday, April 5. “We want to build an NPP there, if they announce a tender,” the source said adding that the Finnish authorities have not made the decision to go ahead with the project yet. The Finnish power consortium Fennovoima, which holds a government permit on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Pyhäjoki, northwest Finland, has previously named the French company Areva and the Japanese Toshiba as possible contractors for the plant. However, Fennovoima reportedly approached the Russian nuclear power corporation Rosatom in February about the possibility of building its Pyhäjoki plant. Finland currently operates four nuclear reactors in two power plants, all located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. The plant in Loviisa has two VVER-440 pressurized water reactors built by Soviet-era Atomenergoexport, but fitted with Western instrumentation, containment structures and control systems. The units became operational in 1977 and 1980, respectively. While other European countries are trying to phase out nuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Finland seems to be determined to build more NPPs in a bid to reduce carbon emissions and curb its dependence on electricity imports. Fennovoima earlier said it would announce the Pyhäjoki NPP construction tender sometime in 2013. The project cost is estimated at around 4 to 6 billion euros, according to the Finnish consortium. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. |