In a video message released on Wednesday, Mohammad Eslami congratulated the Iranian nation on Nowruz, the Persian New Year.

The AEOI chief said a series of plans and measures have increased the productivity levels in the energy and nuclear power sectors.

Highlighting the safe, successful, and seamless performance of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in southern Iran, Eslami said the plant has set a new record by generating over 7.6 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity during the previous Persian year.

He said a 30-strong delegation from ​​the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) monitored the operation of the Bushehr nuclear power plant for 15 days, noting that the results of the inspection indicate that the Iranian nuclear plant is ranked high in the table of points and standards.

The Bushehr power plant has also been top-ranking on a scale that evaluates efficiency and safe and professional conduct, he added.

The AEOI chief also unveiled plans to keep the development of the coastal nuclear plant and construct its second and third units in the new year to achieve the purpose of generating 20,000 megawatts of nuclear electricity.

In 2014, the Nuclear Power Production and Development Company of Iran (NPPD) and Russia’s Atomstroiexport signed two contracts to work on parts of the 2nd and 3rd units at the Bushehr power plant.

A total of $10 billion has been allocated for the construction of the two units.

The capacity of the second phase is expected to stand above 1,000 megawatts (MW). The total capacity of the two units of WWER-1,000 (Water-Water Energetic Reactor) will be 2,100 megawatts.