Sergey Ivanov: Forthcoming reforms in Russia’s energy sector are like second electrification of the country

13.09.2007 // Interfax

Acting First Vice Premier of Russia has termed the forthcoming energy reforms in Russia as “the second electrification of the country”

“Today, we are planning the biggest reform in the last decades – a kind of second electrification of the country,” Acting First Vice Premier of Russia Sergey Ivanov said in Moscow on Wednesday while meeting with Russian and foreign political experts and journalists from the Valday discussion club.

“In fact, by 2020 we have to increase our electricity production by 2/3,” Ivanov said.

He said that 12trl RUR will be allocated for this purpose: the money will be spent on construction of new nuclear power plants and modernization of old ones. “We will have to pass from talk to real power saving.”

Ivanov explained that the existing structure of Russia’s energy sector will be changed: the share of thermal power plants will be reduced, while that of water and nuclear power plants — increased. “One can build NPPs wherever he likes. Besides, we have a unique technology for building floating NPPs. ”

“Throughout the Soviet period we built 30 nuclear power units, while in the coming 12 years we have to build 26 units. And we do  have money  for that,” Ivanov said.