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Hungary Eyes First Concrete Pour for New Atomic Reactors by End of 2024

BUDAPEST (Sputnik) - Hungary wants the first concrete pouring at the site of new nuclear reactors to be completed before the end of 2024, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto said on Friday.
Sputnik
Hungary’s four-reactor Paks Nuclear Power Plant generates about half of electricity consumed by this central European nation. The country is planning to expand the plant by adding two reactors with the help of Russian nuclear giant Rosatom. The 2014 contract is estimated at 12.5 billion euros ($13.6 billion).

"The signing of agreement today, transition to the second phase and acceleration of building allows us to proceed with our initial goal of having concrete poured [to form the base] before the end of next year," Szijjarto told a press conference.

Analysis
G7 Can't Replace Russia's Nuclear Fuel and Expertise
The foreign minister spoke alongside MVM Paks NPP Ltd, the plant operator, and Rosatom representatives at an agreement-signing event that kicked off the first phase of reactor construction. The official noted that work was underway around-the-clock.
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