Alexei Likhachev, head of Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom, announced the decision on Wednesday, 28 October. He said Russia had no plans to withdraw its personnel from the facility in southern Iran and instead intended to strengthen its presence there.
“We will not withdraw Russian personnel from the Bushehr nuclear power plant. On the contrary, we have plans to increase its electricity generation capacity,” Likhachev said.
He added that Rosatom wanted to raise the number of personnel working at the plant to 700. The proposed deployment of 508 additional specialists is intended to help achieve that target.
Located on Iran’s southern coast along the Persian Gulf, the Bushehr nuclear power plant is a key part of the country’s civilian electricity infrastructure. Russia has played a central role in the facility’s development and has maintained a significant technical presence in its operations.
The plant is particularly important to Iran’s efforts to diversify its electricity supply. Nuclear power can provide a steady source of electricity, complementing generation from fossil fuels and other energy sources. Operating a nuclear facility also requires specialised technical expertise, regular maintenance and strict adherence to safety procedures.
Rosatom’s plan to increase its workforce at Bushehr could therefore support the plant’s ongoing operations and future expansion. However, Likhachev’s remarks did not specify when the additional specialists would arrive, what their individual responsibilities would be or how much electricity generation capacity the planned expansion would add.
Russia and Iran have maintained cooperation in the civilian nuclear energy sector for years, with Bushehr serving as a prominent example of their technical partnership. Moscow’s continued involvement also highlights the importance of long-term international cooperation in the construction, maintenance and operation of nuclear power facilities.
Iran’s nuclear programme remains a subject of international attention, although the Bushehr plant is intended for civilian electricity generation. Any expansion of its operations requires appropriate technical planning and safety oversight.
For now, Rosatom’s announcement establishes a clear personnel target and confirms that Russia intends to retain its presence at Bushehr. Further details about the deployment schedule and the proposed increase in generation capacity have yet to be disclosed.
