Rosatom management holds conference in Sarov on Jan 13

15.01.2007 // Regnum news agency

We should carry out additional programs for supporting federal nuclear centers: Kiriyenko

The funds budgeted for arms development are not sufficient for the effective support of the federal nuclear centers, particularly, the Russian Federal Nuclear Center — All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC, Sarov, Nizhniy Novgorod region). «That’s why we should carry out additional programs for supporting the infrastructure and should use all our capacities to ensure additional orders and to attract additional funds for developing the Center and for paying normal wages to its personnel. First of all, we should use the capacities of our nuclear power sector. Today, it already has ones,» Rosatom head Sergey Kiriyenko said during a conference in Sarov on Jan 13.

Kiriyenko said that RFNC has a unique intellectual and scientific-technical potential, which can be used not only for implementing defense projects but also for developing the nuclear power sector. Kiriyenko reminded the conferees that the Russian Government has approved a federal target program for developing the sector till 2015. The objective of the program is to increase the share of nuclear power engineering in the total energy balance of the country. «We have very serious tasks in the spheres dealt with by the unique specialists of RFNC in Sarov, particularly, in ensuring safety and in developing mathematical models and modern testing and control systems. For the nuclear power sector this is a way to find modern progressive solutions, for the nuclear center — a source additional financing,» Kiriyenko said.

He informed the journalists that during the Sarov conference they discussed the course of fulfillment of the state defense order. The new state armament program adopted in 2006 provides for additional financing of the sphere. «Still, I believe that this money will not be enough. It will suffice for the armament program and the Center’s current activities, but it will not be enough for its further development. The Center’s capacities must be raised, first of all, we should optimize its technical basis and increase the wages of its personnel.»

«We have worked out a plan of action for as much as the Center can do for the future needs of the nuclear power sector,» Kiriyenko said in conclusion.