The launch of Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant could be delayed because of late payments and problems with equipment deliveries, Russian news agencies reported on Monday citing an official of the Russian general contractor.

Iran's payments to Atomstroiexport, which is building the Bushehr station, are overdue for more than a month, a source at a Russian currency-control agency told the Interfax news agency.

"Obviously, difficulties facing the Iranian side are affecting the construction timetable," project supervisor Vladimir Pavlov was quoted by the RIA Novosti news agency as saying.

Located in southwestern Iran, Bushehr is the country's first nuclear power station, but work at the plant has been long delayed.

Russia and Iran signed the 1-billion-U.S.-dollar contract for the construction of the plant in 1995. Under an agreement reached last September, fuel deliveries to Bushehr is scheduled to start in March and the plant is due to come on stream in September.

Pavlov expressed worries about the supply of refrigerating systems to Bushehr. "We are very concerned about this, and are waiting for proposals from the Iranian side," he said.

A source in the Russian nuclear industry said Iranian officials planned to visit Russia this month to discuss the construction of the Bushehr plant, RIA Novosti reported.

Source: Xinhua