Sergey Ivanov points out leading role of nuclear energy in Russia

16.03.2007 // RBC

Nuclear power industry should become the basis of modern Russian power engineering: Sergey Ivanov

Nuclear power industry should become the basis of modern Russian power engineering, the first vice premier of Russia Sergey Ivanov said during an enlarged meeting of the board of the Federal Agency of Nuclear Energy (Rosatom) today.

Ivanov said that nuclear energy is the most effective and universal fuel. “We should, first of all, think about the consumer – nuclear power plants, along with water power plants, produce the cheapest electricity,” Ivanov said.

He noted that in France NPPs produce 78% of electricity, in Sweden and Belgium – over 50%, in the United States – 20%. “In our country, even though we are leaders in NPP construction abroad, NPPs produce only 16% of electricity. This is not satisfactory,” Ivanov said.

He reminded that in 2007 Russia launched a federal target program for nuclear energy development in 2007–2010 and till 2015. Its implementation will allow to reduce operating expenses by 10%, the volume of the capital investment per 1 KW will be reduced by ¼, the share of NPPs in total electricity production will be raised to 18.5% and to 25% by 2030. 

Ivanov said that the program envisions the construction of 2GW of capacities or 2 power units a year. He noted that only 3 units were launched during the whole Soviet period. In the coming 8 years the federal budget alone will allocate for the program as much as 674bln RUR, while the total cost of the project, with investments inclusive, will amount to 1.5 trl RUR.