OREANDA-NEWS. The delegation is led by the chairman of the Senate’s commission on mining and energy Ricardo Nunes. The visit is part of Chile’s program to develop its nuclear industry, reported the press-centre of Balakovo NPP.

During his meeting with the managers of Balakovo NPP Nunes said that the visit to Russia and Balakovo NPP was very important. “All we will learn here will be submitted to the Senate for consideration. Today, we are concerned for the future of our country and would like to develop our nuclear power industry. We are just discussing the possibilities. We yet have to convince our authorities and people.”

The Chilean guests visited the public information and training centers of Balakovo NPP, the machine hall and the control board of unit 4, the solid radioactive waste treatment center. The managers of the plant told them that in 2006 Balakovo NPP was proclaimed the best nuclear power plant of Russia. 

The director general of the Chilean Nuclear Energy Corporation Anatoly Gubin-Uliantsev (Chilean of Russian origin) said: “It was our partners from Atomstroyexport who recommended us to visit Balakovo. They told us that in Balakovo we would be able to compare several power plants: nuclear, thermal and water. As regards the prospects for development of nuclear power engineering in Chile, we are quite interested in this possibility. Three years ago we faced an energy crisis, when Argentina stopped supplying gas to our country. Some people suggest using coal but coal generates a lot of pollution. That’s why we are persuading our authorities to start developing nuclear energy. Our delegation comprises three senators from the energy committee. They are examining nuclear technologies to see if they are really safe and ecologically friendly. They have already visited France, but we have recommended them to come here as you have a very big experience in the sphere and are building lots of nuclear power plants in your own country and abroad.”

After considering all pros and contras and discussing this problem with the public, the Chilean authorities will decide – to develop nuclear energy in their country or not.