Key facts
- Russia's Rosatom is increasing its workforce at Iran's Bushehr nuclear plant to approximately 100 by autumn.
- Construction is advancing on two additional reactors, Units 2 and 3, at the Bushehr site.
- The expansion follows a previous return of Russian personnel after a disruption caused by conflict and strikes.
- Unit 2 is projected to add 974 MW of net generating capacity, nearly doubling Iran's current nuclear output.
- Iran aims to reach 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2040 to combat electricity shortages.
Russia is significantly increasing its workforce at Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant as construction progresses on two new reactors, Units 2 and 3. Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, plans to expand its personnel on-site from 25 to approximately 100 by autumn.
Alexey Likhachev, the head of Rosatom, stated that five engineering and technical specialists have recently arrived, with several dozen more expected within the next two weeks. These returning workers are engaged in constructing the main and auxiliary buildings for the new units and preparing hydraulic engineering facilities. This deployment marks a ramp-up of operations that began in July, following the evacuation of hundreds of Russian personnel due to the conflict and U.S. and Israeli strikes.
Construction on Bushehr Units 2 and 3 was halted in March after strikes began impacting areas near the nuclear complex. Unit 2 alone is designed to add 974 MW of net generating capacity, which would nearly double Iran's existing nuclear power generation. The Bushehr plant currently operates a single reactor with 915 MW of net capacity.
Iran is pursuing an ambitious nuclear expansion, aiming for 20 GW of nuclear capacity by 2040 to alleviate chronic electricity shortages. This effort includes a $25 billion agreement signed last year with Russia for four additional nuclear units in southeastern Iran.
However, Rosatom's continued buildup is dependent on the resolution of hostilities. Likhachev indicated that reaching previous staffing levels requires a final agreement between the U.S. and Iran to end the conflict. Tensions remain high, with Iran stating that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless Washington meets its demands, even as reports suggest Iran and Oman are nearing an agreement on new shipping routes through the critical chokepoint.