Iran says it completed refueling at Bushehr nuclear plant, eyes expansion
Iran announced the completion of major maintenance and refueling at its Bushehr nuclear power plant this week, preparing the country’s only operational nuclear facility to meet peak summer electricity demand.
The announcement comes as Tehran accelerates work on two new reactor units at the site and reiterates its long-term commitment to nuclear energy amid stalling US nuclear talks.
The head of the Bushehr nuclear power plant, Reza Banazadeh, said the 1,000-megawatt (MW) facility is now fully prepared to contribute to the national grid during the hottest months of the year.
Daily electricity consumption in Iran can vary, with peaks reaching over 72,000 MW, exceeding the actual power generation capacity of 60,000 MW during the summer.
Since its commissioning, the plant has generated more than 72 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to saving over 110 million barrels of oil, Banazadeh said in an interview with Iranian state media.
"Nuclear energy is one of the safest, cleanest, and most cost-effective sources of power,” Banazadeh said, adding the plant avoids burning fossil fuels and thereby prevents the emission of an estimated 7 million tons of greenhouse gases annually.
Bushehr, Iran’s first commercial nuclear facility, sits on the Persian Gulf and is central to the country’s broader nuclear ambitions.
Mohammad Eslami, head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI), said earlier this year that 5,000 workers are involved in the construction of Units 2 and 3, which are expected to triple the plant’s output when completed.
“Our aim is to increase nuclear power capacity to 20,000 megawatts by 2041,” Banazadeh said, adding that new projects across the country will help meet rising energy demands and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
While Iranian officials highlight the civilian and environmental benefits of nuclear energy, the program remains under international scrutiny amid concerns about its potential military dimensions.
Tehran maintains its program is peaceful and conducted under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) despite the restrictions that Tehran has put on the agency’s activities such as expelling inspectors and reducing monitoring equipment.
Tensions around Iran's nuclear facilities resurfaced in recent months, with Israel and the US warning of potential military action. During a February visit to Bushehr, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned: “If they strike a hundred [nuclear sites], we will build a thousand more ... They can hit the buildings, but they cannot erase the minds of our scientists.”
US President Donald Trump, in a Fox News interview, said he would prefer a diplomatic solution to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons but acknowledged concerns over possible Israeli military action.
Iran's air force commander Hamid Vahedi said that the country’s defense posture is deterrent but warned of “forceful” retaliation if attacked.
Despite geopolitical strains, Iran’s nuclear chief Eslami highlighted the use of domestically manufactured equipment and engineering milestones in the Bushehr expansion, including 34,000 rod injections to stabilize the reactors’ foundations and a record 22,000 cubic meters of concrete poured in a single day.
The AEOI aims to increase this figure to 65,000 cubic meters daily next year, showing Iran’s intent to push ahead with nuclear infrastructure development.
The IAEA has not yet commented on the latest developments at Bushehr.
Iran's cooperation with the IAEA remains central to international efforts monitoring and constraining its nuclear program under a potential new deal, with the next round of indirect Iran-US negotiations scheduled for this weekend.