Atomproekt, a division of Russiaʼs state utility Rosatom, is the engineering company responsible for the upgrade of Paks, which is Hungary’s sole nuclear power plant.

Two new 1,200 megawatt blocks will be added at the plant, and they are being designed to conform to guidelines set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for third-generation nuclear reactors, Ershov said. The lifespan of the new blocks will be extendable.

The blocks are designed to withstand 60 years of use at 100% capacity, but they are expected to operate at anywhere between 50-100% of capacity, Ershov said.

Ershov noted that the progress of the work is contingent on the completion of various studies and the receipt of the necessary permits.