Konstantin Zaycev, vice chairman of State Duma Energy Committee

– The appointment of Sergey Shmatko as energy minister proves that the government gives high priority to nuclear power sector

As President of Atomstroyexport CSJC, Sergey Shmatko has proved his efficiency as a person able to manage the biggest energy projects in Russia and abroad. Under his management the company built and launched two super-modern reactors at Tianwan NPP, ton the right to build Belene NPP in Bulgaria and started construction projects in Russia.

The appointment of Sergey Shmatko as energy minister proves that the government gives high priority to the nuclear power sector. Shmatko has managed to build up the most efficient company in our sector and now he has been entrusted the whole of it. I think that this is not a coincidence: our government has determined its priorities and nuclear energy is one of them. Today, only a modern source of electricity – nuclear power plant – can meet the quickly growing demand for energy. So, it is quite logical that the energy sector was placed in the hands of the manager of one of the most successfully NPP builders in the world.

Why did they divide the Industry and Energy Ministry into two ministries?

I think that the growing energy shortfalls and the crisis-like situation in the energy sector have urged our authorities to take measures. They have understood that the sector needs individual approach and efficient and professional management. Now we will have a special agency which will address our special needs and this will certainly improve the situation in our sector.