TEHRAN – Russia has begun “soil stabilization” work on the site of Phase 2of the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant in Southern Iran, reports said.

“On 3 May 2018, soil stabilization works under the reactor building ofpower unit No 2 commenced at Bushehr-2 NPP construction site,” Russianstate nuclear agency Rosatom announced on its website on Thursday.

It said that these works will ensure the performance of the most importantstage of the project implementation, first concrete pouring planned for thethird quarter of 2019.

Soil stabilization is one of the preparatory stages for commencement of thenuclear power plant construction required to reduce the settlement ofbuildings and structures of the power plant and ensuring their stability incase of possible seismic impact.

Rosatom said the commencement of the works in the pit of the new power unitis planned in 2018, adding that all works are being performed in accordancewith the project implementation schedule.

It underlined that a successful experience of construction of the firstpower unit in Bushehr was the basis for expanding cooperation between thetwo countries in the field of nuclear power.

The construction of the power plant’s second and third phases began lastNovember. It was reported at the time that the two phases would beginsupplying electricity to Iran’s power grid in 10 years.

The first phase of Bushehr was connected to Iran’s power grid in September2011.

Russia and Iran signed a number of documents in November 2014, expandingcooperation in the field of peaceful use of atomic energy and opening thepossibility of construction in Iran of up to eight power units.

The contract for construction of the second line of Bushehr NPP consists oftwo units of Russian design with a total capacity of 2,100 megawatts.

Russia is one of the signatories of the 2015 nuclear accord between Iranand world powers, the other parties to the contract being the UnitedStates, Britain, France, China, and Germany.

So far, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclearwatchdog, has invariably confirmed Iran’s commitment to the agreement.

US President Donald Trump has threatened on repeated occasions to sabotagethe deal, and has said it would decide on May 12 whether it would opt outof the deal and re-impose the sanctions.