The Hungarian Branch of Rosatom’s Engineering Division (ASE) organised a seminar for potential suppliers of the Paks II NPP project. The event, which was attended by more than 350 representatives of 180 companies, including 150 from Hungary, was held in Paks. Vitaly Polyanin, Vice President of ASE and Director of the Paks II Construction Project said the large number of participants indicated great interest on the part of the companies in the project.

“Intensive preparations are currently underway for the pouring of the first concrete, which may happen in 2024. ASE Hungarian Branch will do everything to ensure maximum localisation and participation of all interested companies in the project,” he emphasised.

The Paks II project was launched in 2014 by an inter-governmental agreement between Hungary and Russia for two VVER-1200 reactors (units 5&6) to be supplied by Rosatom. The contract was supported by a Russian state loan to finance the majority of the project. The Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority issued the licence for the units in August 2022. The 2014 goal of the project was for 40% of the project to go to domestic companies, and the Russian side undertook to select 55% of suppliers in accordance with European Commission regulations.

The current Paks NPP comprises four VVER-440 reactors that started up between 1982 and 1987 producing about half of Hungary’s electricity. Their 30-year design lifetime was extended in 2005 by 20 years to between 2032 and 2037. In December 2022, the Hungarian Parliament approved a proposal to further extend their lifespan, which means the plant could continue operating into the 2050s.

Hungary’s Minister of Energy Csaba Lantos noted that there is very serious work going on both the construction site and the Paks NPP: the former involving soil solidification and the latter maintenance work of the four reactors. He emphasised the need for the four units to continue operating for another 20 years. “In the meantime, the new units will be completed and we hope that all six units will generate in parallel for a good 20 years and we can satisfy domestic electricity demand with 100% carbon-free sources.”

He noted that there were already times of sunshine when the NPP and renewables provided 100% green energy with solar power capacity exceeding 6,000 MWe. “We believe in green energy,” he said, adding that this means two things in Hungary – renewable energy and nuclear energy.

The seminar participants received detailed information on the possibility and conditions of partnership in the Pak II project, as well as on the requirements for suppliers, including nuclear qualifications. Representatives of the JSC ASE Hungarian Branch described the procedure for contracting and performing works at the site and answered questions from the parties interested in cooperation.

Gergely Jákli, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Paks II said strengthening the energy security of Hungary and implementation of the European Green Agreement are impossible without expanding nuclear capabilities. “New market opportunities open up for companies participating in the project, as many countries in Europe and the world have decided to extend the life of their existing power units or build new nuclear power plants,” he noted.

ASE Vice-President for International Development Alexander Merten explained the openness of Rosatom's foreign projects to the participation of companies from various countries. “Rosatom is the only company expanding its foreign presence in the global nuclear market, and in all countries where we are present we welcome cooperation with local companies. We encourage further participation in the Paks II project primarily from Hungarian contractors and suppliers.”

Image courtesy of Paks II