Boris Gryzlov, Speaker of State Duma

— MPs support nuclear power reforms

On Wednesday, Dec 6, State Duma will consider the first reading of the bill on nuclear power reforms. The head of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyekno will make a report on the subject.

Gryzlov points out that “this is a extensive issue, the MPs will have many questions for the reporter, but they still support the reforms.” The bill suggests allocating big budgetary funds for the construction of a BN-800 (fast breeder) reactor at Beloyaskaya NPP.

“We need additional stimulating funds for the construction of small and floating reactors,” says Gryzlov. He says that in the MPs’ opinion the share of the nuclear power industry in the total energy sector should not be reduced. He notes that in due time outdated reactors will be stopped and it is necessary to support further progress in the nuclear power sector.

As Polit.ru reported earlier, on Dec 4 the State Duma Energy, Transport and Communication Committee recommended the State Duma to adopt the first reading of the presidential bill on nuclear power reforms. The bill entitled “On the Peculiarities of Property and Stock Management by Organizations Operating in the Sphere of Nuclear Power Use and On Amendments to Some Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation” suggests setting up a united atomic holding Atomenergoprom, whose 100% shares will belong to the state.

Kiriyenko says that the holding’s management system will be similar to that of Gazprom, RAO UES and Russian Railways, i.e. all directives on its decisions will be made by the Government.

The reforms are carried out in line with the “Strategy of Russia’s Nuclear Power Industry Development” ratified by Russian President Vladimir Putin on June 9. The strategy is a complex of initiatives comprising federal programs and the law to be considered by the MPs Wednesday. One of the key tasks of the strategy is to increase the share of nuclear energy in Russia’s energy basket to 25% by 2030.

Polit.ru