The Paks site is suitable for the construction of new atomic power station blocks, the most complex examination of recent decades has verified this, Attila Aszódi said at a press conference which was held on Tuesday in Paks before the site planning permission public hearing of the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority.

We have concluded that the site is suitable, and have identified the parameters which must be taken into consideration during the course of planning in the interest of providing sufficient safeguards against impacts of a human and natural nature, Mr Aszódi, the Government Commissioner responsible for the capacity maintenance of the Paks Atomic Power Station said. He told the press that they submitted to the Hungarian Atomic Energy Authority the extensive documentation prepared under ongoing scientific control and also evaluated by independent experts which contains a detailed description of the specifications of the site at the very end of October.

The Government Commissioner highlighted that the Paks site is the country’s most thoroughly researched site as it accommodates four atomic power station blocks and another nuclear facility, the Spent Fuel Interim Storage Facility. At the same time, the relevant area of science has undergone an enormous amount of development, and the expectations of nuclear safety regulations, too, have been tightened. This is why this „examination, unique in its own genre” took place, during the course of which they also performed three-dimensional seismic measurements, satellite radar tests and deep drilling.

Mr Aszódi said in answer to the question of the Hungarian news agency MTI that the capacity projection of Magyar Villamosenergia-ipari Átviteli Rendszerirányító Zrt. (the company responsible for overseeing the Hungarian electricity transmission system), based on which minimum new capacity in the magnitude of 7,000 megawatts will be required up to 2030, as well as its electricity consumption report which foresees a requirement higher than at any time before, are in harmony with the analyses which served as the basis for the decision relating to the construction of the two new blocks. He highlighted: the two blocks will serve to maintain Hungary’s domestic nuclear capacity as the current blocks of the Paks Atomic Power Station will reach the end of their operating term in the thirties.

(MTI)