On August 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the development of nuclear energy in Russia and on Russia’s role as the key provider of nuclear energy to the world. A report on the matter was presented by Alexei Ligachev, the director- general of Rosatom. Putin underlined the importance of nuclear energy domestically for the development of the Russian regions, particularly in Siberia and in the Far East. “Most importantly, the geographic distribution of these power units is planned to be expanded. Modern nuclear power plants producing affordable, clean electricity will be built in the Urals, Siberia, and the Far East,” Putin said.
Russia now depends on nuclear energy for 20% of its electricity, but this will be increased to 25% by 2045 with 30 more units now being planned. Russia will also continue to act as a provider of nuclear technology to other areas of the world, including Africa and Southeast Asia, Putin said. He urged Director-General Ligachev to assure that Russia maintains its competitive edge in this important field.
Ligachev then gave his report on the development of the industry. He noted the need for replacement of older nuclear plants, which would involve their upgrade to fourth-generation nuclear technology. He emphasized the production of maritime reactors, which include both land and floating versions to be used in hard-to-reach regions of the country. He said that Russia was the only nation that had serial production of floating nuclear power reactors. “According to the current version of the general plan, we are to build 38 power units ... As of today, we have already reached nine sites. In total, including small and floating nuclear power plants, 18 power units are under construction in Russia,” Likhachev said.
Russia is also producing sodium-cooled fast-neutron (breeder) reactors. These represent a key element in the fourth-generation of nuclear reactors, Ligachev noted. One experimental breeder being developed in Seversk would create a closed nuclear cycle. They are also building a facility to reprocess the fuel on site, as well as a fuel-fabrication center, for maintaining a continual flow of fuel to the reactor.
