The payments were made for six invoices related to general contractor Rosatomʼs delivery of technical plans for two new blocks at the plant in October, Süli said. Those plans will allow project company Paks II to submit its application for a construction license to the National Atomic Energy Office (OAH) by the end of June 2020, he added.

The OAH has 15 months to scrutinize the application, which means the permit could be issued by September 2021 at the earliest, Süli said.

The state of Russia is financing 80% of the cost of the two new blocks.