Likhachev assessed the progress of construction of the Bushehr NPP units in Iran

"Rosatom" does not see any technical problems during the construction of the Bushehr NPP units in Iran, Alexei Likhachev, head of the state corporation, told Izvestia on January 17.

"We do not see any technical problems insofar as the VVER-1000 unit is as well known to us as a Kalashnikov assault rifle. We have built many such units in Russia and abroad, in the People's Republic of China, in India," he said, answering a question from Izvestia correspondent Viktor Sineok.

At the same time, Likhachev clarified that the current pressure, related, among other things, to the difficulties of mutual settlements, creates gaps in financing and this may delay the NPP commissioning.

The head of Rosatom noted that cooperation in the energy sector, including nuclear energy, was widely discussed at the talks with Iranian counterparts. According to him, among other things, they talked about the project of a small nuclear power plant.

Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian in Moscow that the countries are discussing the possibility of building new nuclear power units in Iran. He noted that Rosatom is advancing a project to build two new power units at the Bushehr nuclear power plant, which is expected to contribute to strengthening Iran's energy security and economic growth.

In November 2014, Russia and Iran signed a contract for the construction of the second stage of the Bushehr NPP, under which the second and third power units with VVER-1000 reactors are to be built. It is planned that they will be put into operation in 2025 and 2027.