Anatoly Lukyanets, chairman of Regional Energy Commission, Tomsk region

– We hope that the new nuclear power plant will enhance our energy security

The authorities of Tomsk region have worked out a strategy of development till 2020 and a program of energy security till 2012. Both documents envisage construction of a nuclear power plant in Seversk.

Today, Tomsk region is short of energy, just like in the Soviet times. Almost 70% of our electricity is bought on the wholesale market. So, if we want to enhance our energy security, we must build power plants. We hope that the new nuclear power plant will enhance our energy security and the authorities of Tomsk region are ready to actively support this project.

Earlier, we planned to build four reactors 900MW each, but, today, we hope for, at least, two reactors. If we build them in the next 15 years, our region will have enough energy to develop its economy.

Not only Tomsk region but whole Russia is running short of power capacities. This is a big obstacle to the development of our economy and social sector. So, the construction of new nuclear reactors will help us to develop our region and Seversk, in particular. We will create new jobs and we will be able to stop the outflow of specialists from the region to European Russia.

We have already held two big public hearings of the project but this is not enough. We must actively work with people as not all of them yet understand how much their lives depend on energy. As soon as we have specific project, we will start an active campaign among the population. I think that our authorities will be able to bring it home to our people that without energy Tomsk region has no future.