“Future of cheap energy lies with nuclear power”

The demand for nuclear power continues rising across the globe, said head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano during the 48th conference of the Japan Atomic Industrial Forum. In his words, safety is the key factor in the future use of nuclear energy. The role of international cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy will only grow larger. In his speech during the forum Deputy Director General of the Russian state corporation Rosatom Kirill Komarov said that Rosatom is intent on actively developing projects together with Japan. On the sidelines of the forum Kirill Komarov said that Russia is ready to participate in the tender to build the first nuclear power plant in Malaysia if such a tender is organized. He explained that Russia is ready to offer its nuclear reactor designs of the 3+ generation to the countries that plan to develop nuclear energy industry. These designs are compliant with the safety standards adopted after the accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The future of cheap energy lies with nuclear power, this is why the forum, which is held in Japan — the world’s only country that has suspended the operation of most of its nuclear energy installations after the Fukushima events — is such a symbolic event. The opinion was voiced by Dmitry Kumanovsky, head of the analysis department of ZAO Investment Company Lenmontazhstroy (LMS), BelTA has learned.

IAEA head Yukiya Amano said that the nuclear energy development vector is shifting to Asia. While Japan is resuming the operation of its nuclear reactors one by one, a growing number of Asian countries intend to build nuclear power plants for the sake of preserving their competitive ability on the international merchandise market by providing cheap nuclear energy to their production sector. Rosatom’s reference projects can claim a substantial part of the market.

Despite Russia’s political difficulties Rosatom continues working on the Japanese market, confirming its status of a reliable partner on previously signed contracts. Nuclear energy projects are implemented on a long-term basis regardless of political cycles. Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar are the latest examples of the promising nature of developments in the Asian-Pacific region that will continue. Russian nuclear technologies and full-cycle projects represent an excellent export product. They are in demand in the countries, which are starting the development of their own nuclear energy industries. Which means Rosatom’s business is going to grow larger, filling the portfolio with orders for years ahead.