TEHRAN Managing Director of Bushehr Power Plant Project of Planning and Evaluation Affairs, Khosro Abbadi, said here Sunday that the construction of the first phase of plant has had about 52 percent progress.

Speaking at the fourth national productivity seminar, he added that the construction of the initial phase of the plant is 24 percent behind the schedule, "But hopefully the phase will be operational in the next three year."

He said that the continuation of the first phase was economically justified. Despite the termination of the initial contract by the Western contractor and unwillingness of other Western countries to take part in completion of the project, a Russian contractor was selected, IRNA quoted Abbadi as stating.

He said sunken capital to complete the power plant has been $1 billion, adding that "the figure put forth by the Western contractor was $2.5-3 billion."

He also said that the major activity of Iran Nuclear Energy Organization is to meet the needs of the country's nuclear technology adding, to strengthen expertise and training in the field, the organization takes advantage of the International Atomic Energy Agnecy's (IAEA) training opportunities.

Earlier in April, construction work for a steam power generator of the country's first nuclear reactor in Bushehr began in a ceremony attended by a group of members of Iranian Parliament.

Deputy of Iran's Nuclear Power Organization for Power Plants Assadollah Sabouri in the ceremony said that initially the Germans constructed the buildings of the power plant and later in order to match those structures with the Russian standards, certain alterations were needed.

He also said that the current phase of building the steam reactor structure is the first executive step made by the Russians, following expert studies, various surveys and examining the materials used in construction of the Bushehr plant.

Sabouri said that upon completion of the current process of construction, the main nuclear reactor already manufactured in Russia and now on its way to Iran will be installed, under the direct supervision of the Russians in charge of the project.

He also said based on the contract signed with the Russians, the first unit of the Bushehr Power Plant must be completed by the end of the Iranian year 1382 (March 19, 2004).

The Russian government made the commitment to support Iran's nuclear power program during Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's visit to Moscow earlier in March.

Construction of the plant is being carried out in accordance with a plan which Russia signed in September 1998, committing itself to finish the project over a 52-month span.

The Bushehr Power Plant started by Germany but after their withdrawal, Russians took over in August 1992. Delays caused by incompatibility between Russian and German technologies mean the project will not be completed before 2004 - five years behind schedule.