Russian Govt. has allocated a fund US$ 2.4 billion to state energy corporation – ROSATOM, as ‘in-kind’ contributions for the growth of nuclear industry. Out of the amount US$ 680 Million will be used as subsidy for constructing nuclear power plants abroad. Russia’s Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev issued a directive in this regard recently.
The Russian Government noted, “The main objectives of Rosatom are to accelerate development of the nuclear power industry for ensuring Russia’s energy security by launching nuclear power generating units, promoting Russia’s nuclear products and services in international markets, and engaging in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants outside of Russia.”
“Russia has an overall policy of maximising low-carbon power from domestic hydro and nuclear in order to decarbonise electricity supplies and free natural gas for export”.
Rosatom presently is in contract with several countries in Asia and Europe for setting up nuclear power units and providing relevant services. Under one of these contracts, Rosatom will build own and operate four units of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey.
Similar projects are in development with Bangladesh and Vietnam, while Russia is building power units on more general commercial terms in Belarus, China and India.
Rosatom’s present overseas nuclear power projects as are: The Akkuyu NPP in Turkey – 4 power units, The Tianwan NPP in China – 2 power units, The Belarus NPP in Ostrovets (Belarus) – 2 power units, The Armianskaya NPP (Armenia) – 1 power unit, The Khmelnitskaya NPP in Ukraine – 2 power units, The Ninh Thuan NPP in Vietnam – 2 power units, The Rooppur NPP in Bangladesh – 2 power units, The Kudankulam NPP in India – 4 power units, The Hanhikivi-1 NPP in Finland – 1 unit.