First Paks 2 Unit To Begin Commercial Operation In 2026, Hungary Official Tells Brussels Conference

19 Oct (NucNet): The two planned units at Hungary’s proposed Paks 2 nuclear power station are expected to begin commercial operation in 2026 and 2027, Attila Aszódi, the Hungarian government’s commissioner for the Paks 2 project, told a conference in Brussels today. Speaking at an event organised by the French think tank ASCPE (Les Entretiens Européens et Eurafricains), Mr Aszódi said auxiliary work at the site will begin in early 2018 and actual work on the two Russia-procured reactor units in 2020. Mr Aszódi said that the construction licence application for Paks 2 is undergoing a review by the Hungarian nuclear regulator. The Paks 2 project received its environmental and site permits in September 2016 and April 2017. An agreement signed in 2014 will see Russia supply two VVER-1200 pressurised water reactors for Paks 2, as well as a loan of up to €10bn ($11.8bn) to finance 80% of the €12bn project.