24.09 Rosatom to Be Key Contractor in Finnish NPP Project � Putin Aide

MOSCOW, September 24 (RIA Novosti) � Russian state nuclear power corporation Rosatom plans to become the main contractor in a project to build a nuclear power plant in Finland, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov told journalists.

Rosatom and Finnish power consortium Fennovoima, which holds a government permit for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Pyh?joki, northwest Finland, are to sign a contract for the NPP construction by the end of 2013.

The companies are also to agree a detailed project schedule, financing mechanisms and a share for Rosatom of 34 percent.

According to Fennovoima�s draft project, the Hanhikivi-1 plant is to start producing electricity in 2024.

Fennovoima had previously named the French company Areva and Japan's Toshiba as possible contractors for the plant. However, Fennovoima reportedly approached the Russian nuclear power corporation in February about the possibility of building its Pyh?joki plant.