Rosatom is expanding its nuclear power plant in Hungary
At the beginning of February, the expansion of the nuclear power plant for which it is responsible began in Paks, located in central Hungary Rosatom, erecting two new units with a capacity of 1,200 MW each. The project called Paks II is one of the key energy projects of Viktor Orban’s government. The value of the entire investment is expected to be approximately EUR 12 billion. The project is to be fully financed by the Hungarian state, which borrowed funds from Russia for this purpose.
There will be no “nervous system” of the Siemens power plant
Siemens Energy was to provide and implement measurement and control technology (I&C), known as the “nervous system” of the power plant.
Meanwhile, the Russian state-owned company Rosatom informed on Tuesday releasing Siemens Energy from its obligations under the agreement on assistance in the expansion of the Paks nuclear power plant in Hungary. The company, quoted by Reuters, added that it has alreadyis looking for alternatives to the German company’s equipment.
Problems regarding the company’s involvement in the project result from the German government’s refusal to grant an export license to Siemens Energy in 2023. The authorities in Berlin referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Will the French replace the Germans?
In an attempt to circumvent the restrictions, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced in June last year that Siemens Energy will open a branch in Hungary, thanks to which it will be able to supply parts to the power plant despite the lack of consent from the German government.
However, Szijjarto met with the management last Thursday the French company Framatomewhich – according to the statement of the Hungarian Ministry of Diplomacy – “toAll you need is one of the most important elements of the expansion of the Paks power plant, i.e. the control system” – reported the Telex portal.
During the commencement of work, Szijjarto recalled that when the expansion of the power plant is completed, “nuclear energy will cover 70 percent of Hungarian electricity demand.”
Jakub Bawołek from Budapest
