Azernews.Az

Tehran temporarily took over the control of its Bushehr nuclear power plant from Russia.

Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Ali Akbar Salehi signed the protocol of the temporary hand over of the first phase of Bushehr NPP to Iran from Russian contractor, IRINN TV reported.

During the official ceremony, Salehi was accompanied by senior Iranian lawmakers and officials, including the Iranian energy minister.

Salehi said that the nuclear plant has been in operation for 14 days before being handed over to Iran. During the period, the plant worked at 90 percent of its nominal capacity, i.e. 900 megawatts, he added.

"But for next two years or 7,000 hours it will be under the Russian side's guarantee and a number of Russian experts will remain in place to give advice and technical assistance," he added.

Salehi also said that he expected work to start soon on a second plant upon completion of talks with Moscow, saying: "Negotiations are continuing and are well-advanced."

"Work will start soon," he said, without unveiling any exact date.

Iran signed the Bushehr contract with Russia in 1995 and the nuclear power plant reached its full capacity by August 2012.

Bushehr nuclear power plant officially became operational in September 2011, generating electricity at 40 percent of its capacity.

The 1,000-megawatt plant, which is operating under the full supervision of the IAEA, reached its maximum power generation capacity in August 2012.

Iran and Russia have assured the international community that the plant is fully compliant with high-level safety standards and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.

The U.S. and some of its Western allies suspect Iran of developing a nuclear weapon -- something that Iran denies. However, Iran has on numerous occasions stated that it is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons, using nuclear energy for medical researches instead.