Inter RAO to export Baltic NPP output

Friday, 4 February 2011 Russia's Inter RAO UES is to take responsibility for the export of electricity from the Baltic nuclear power plant under an agreement signed with operator Rosenergoatom. The contract will be valid for 20 years from the start-up of the first unit at the plant, expected to be around 2016. Ground works are well under way at the site close to the Lithuanian border in the Kaliningrad region of Russia in preparation for first concrete, which is scheduled for April 2011. The two 1200 MWe VVER units are intended to supply electricity to the Kaliningrad region as well as for export, with up to two-thirds of its output destined for Germany, Poland and the Baltic states. It is the first Russian nuclear power project to be open to private investors, including those from other countries, with a share of up to 49% available to them.