Russian state-run atomic energy giant Rosatom is in talks to construct another nuclear power plant (NPP) in Iran, the company’s chief said, as reported by ISNA on February 23.

Talks between Tehran and Moscow began several months ago, with Iran desperate to increase its electricity capacity due to ongoing blackouts across the country during peak demand times. The prospect of new power stations was discussed during an Iranian presidential visit to Moscow on January 17 to sign the long-awaited comprehensive strategic partnership deal. 

“We are conducting another [round of] large-scale negotiations on the next site for developing nuclear energy in Iran,” Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev told reporters on the sidelines of the Future Technologies Forum in Moscow.

Likhachev said the site for the new NPP had been designated, though he did not reveal its exact location.

However, he noted that “the start of work is still a long way off.”

Iran already operates a Russian-designed reactor at its sole NPP in the southern port city of Bushehr and is pressing ahead with the construction of two additional reactors with the help of Russia.

The expansion aims to push up the country's nuclear power generation capacity from 1,000 megawatts to over 3,000 MW.

Likhachev said Rosatom was working with Iran “very actively” on that project.

According to Interfax, Unit 2 of the Bushehr NPP was expected to go online last year while Unit 3 is set to be completed by 2026.

Last week, Iran moved to install safety equipment in Unit 2 and began excavation works for the water cooling pump houses of both units—a sign that the two reactors are far from being commissioned.

The confirmation comes as both countries seek to strengthen their bilateral energy cooperation amid Western sanctions. Russian President Vladimir Putin said following the agreement that the new agreement between Russia and Iran sets ambitious goals, adding that it is "a breakthrough document" for the stable development of the two countries and the entire region.

"This is precisely the meaning of the signed interstate agreement on comprehensive strategic partnership. It sets ambitious goals and outlines guidelines for deepening bilateral cooperation in the long term,” he said.