“Construction of the second phase of Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant was started in the 1980s and halted at the start of the 1990s, the fifth power-producing unit has been 60% completed and the sixth unit – 25%-30%,” the source said.

“Work on the designs for the fifth unit continued this year, taking modern requirements into consideration, particularly regarding safety and reliability. The phase of public and state examination of the project is beginning,” the Rosenergoatom representative said. He said that by the end of 2004 it is planned to receive a license to continue work on the fifth unit, and permission to start construction in 2004. If there is stable financing for the project the fifth unit may provide its first electricity in 2008.

Balakovo Nuclear Power Plant has four power-producing units with VVER-1000 reactors. The new units will also have VVER-1000 reactors. The cost of electricity production at Balakovo is the lowest at all Russian nuclear and thermal plants – 18 kopecks per kWh.