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| Syria-Lebanon-Iran | |
| Bushehr reactor reaches full capacity | |
| 2012-09-02 | |
TEHRAN: IranÂ’s sole operational nuclear power reactor has reached full capacity, a senior official said Saturday.
The Islamic Republic built the nuclear power plant in the southern Iranian port city with Russian help. The facility is a cornerstone of IranÂ’s drive to become a technological leader among Muslim nations, with efforts such as an ambitious space program and long-range missile development. Iran also runs smaller research reactors and is building another power reactor. The Bushehr project dates back to 1974, when IranÂ’s US-backed Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi contracted with the German company Siemens to build the reactor. The company withdrew from the project after the 1979 Islamic Revolution brought hard-line clerics to power. In 1992, Iran signed a $1 billion deal with Russia to complete the project and work began in 1995. Since then, the project has been beset by problems linked to construction and supply glitches. Under the contract, Bushehr was originally scheduled to come on stream in July 1999 but it was repeatedly postponed over technical glitches and financial disputes. The reactor finally went into operation last summer operating with minimum capacity to undergo tests before full operation. | |
| Posted by:Steve White |
| #2 So it's a 1970's design with concrete layed as early as 1990's? If I can get my boots off...that looks like the concrete may already be upwards of 20 years old. The Israelis may not need to react, except to winds from the east. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2012-09-02 13:36 |
| #1 "we are currently running at 100% of capacity speed...errr 105%...108%...120% oh shit!" |
| Posted by: Frank G 2012-09-02 10:14 |