Russia plans to build NPPs in Argentina - Ushakov

MOSCOW, April 22 /TASS/. Russia plans to build nuclear power plants in Argentina, presidential aide Yuri Ushakov said on Wednesday. "A memorandum of understanding on the project is ready and expected to be signed after negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and /his Argentinian counterpart Cristina Fernandez/ de Kirchner in the Kremlin on Thursday," Ushakov said. He clarified that the Rosatom State Corporation for Atomic Energy wanted to join the construction of the sixth power unit at the Atucha nuclear power plant in Argentina. According to Ushakov, the energy sector will be a vital topic for discussion at negotiations between the Russian and Argentinian presidents. "Argentina uses Russian equipment to generate more than 20% of electric energy. Cooperation with Russia ranges from delivery of turbines to complete modernization of Argentinian hydropower plants," Ushakov said. He added that after the talks on Thursday, the presidents of the two countries plan to sign a memorandum of understanding to implement a multi-purpose hydraulic power project ‘Chiuido-1’ in Argentina. According to Ushakov, the package of documents prepared for signature also includes a memorandum of cooperation between Gazprom and Argentina’s National Corporation of Oil and Gas Deposits. The presidential aide said that the Rosatom State Corporation for Atomic Energy planned to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Argentine Ministry of Federal Planning and Investment on cooperation in building nuclear power plants in the territory of Argentina. "Rosatom wants to join the construction of the sixth power unit of the Atucha nuclear power plant. In addition to matching top nuclear safety standards, the corporation’s advanced technologies are highly productive and economically efficient," Ushakov said adding that Russian oil and gas companies /Rosneft and Zarubezhneft/ are giving expert consultations on Russian technologies, which can be used for developing oil and gas deposits in Argentina. Read more