Sergey Kondratyev commented to Rossiyskaya Gazeta on development of the Russian nuclear industry in 2019

Sergey Kondratiev, Deputy Head of the Economic Department of the Institute for Energy and Finance commented on development of the Russian nuclear industry in 2019 to Rossiyskaya Gazeta:

«… In recent years, a serious construction base has been created in Rosatom, a machine-building complex has been reconstructed. With such capacities, it is possible to build not one or two units per year, but much more. And in addition to replacing capacities, it would be worthwhile to focus on the development of critical technologies (completing the fuel cycle and building a fast neutron reactor.) Our international partners are very interested in these technologies…

The commissioning of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant will undoubtedly become a landmark event this year. There are no examples of operating mobile nuclear power units of low power in the world. And the launch of such a facility in Pevek will allow decommissioning the old power plant in Bilibino, on the one hand. On the other hand, to create conditions for developing local industries, including gold mining. And, of course, it can be a serious signal for potential customers in the future. In my opinion, the floating nuclear power plant has a fairly large market in the countries of Southeast Asia, Indonesia, on the islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and also in China. The operation of the floating nuclear power plant, and even in the harsh conditions of the North, is an important event. At the very least, it gives Rosatom an opportunity for growth in the medium term.

This year we saw the real start of the Arctic race, in which countries, even not territorially related to the Arctic, take part. For example, China, where they have already begun to build their own nuclear icebreaker. And the fact that we signed a contract in the outgoing year for construction of two new nuclear-powered ships makes the prospect of escorting ships along the Northern Sea Route much more certain.

Activity in this area allows Rosatom to diversify its profits, which is very important for the state corporation. And among other things, it is also the formation of working prospects for the vast region, including the creation of a virtually new sector in the economy for servicing the Northern Sea Route and Arctic transit.»

The commentary is available at the link: https://rg.ru/2019/12/25/god-75-letiia-atomnoj-promyshlennosti-vstrechaiut-rekordnymi-pokazateliami.html