"Hungary's energy demand may require the establishment of a second nuclear power plant after Paks, said ex-government commissioner Attila Aszódi, who is also the director of the Nuclear Technology Institute at Budapest's Technical University.In a report by business daily Napi Gazdaság, Aszódi stressed the most important would be to alter Hungary's energy strategy and put more emphasis on nuclear energy. He added the weight of gas must be cut, as well. Hungary imports 80% of its gas consumption each year - solely from Russia. The country's dependency on Russian crude is also a danger in the long run, Aszódi noted.
Aszódi urged the construction of a new nuclear power plant. He said building a 1,600-1,700 MW facility would cost EUR 3 billion and would take six years to finish it.
He said it would be an obvious solution to set up the new nuclear power plant in Paks for a number of reasons. Firstly, he said, they had already planned in the late 1980s to build two 1,000 MW blocks here and residents are already used to living next to a nuclear power plant. The technology and expertise are already present in the town, he explained."
Source:
Portfolio Online Financial Journal
16.01.2007