Victor Murogov: nuclear renaissance - perspectives and threats for Russia

Professor Victor Murogov - IAEA Deputy Director General in 1996-2003, Obninsk Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) director in 1992-1995. First director of INPRO program - international project on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycle.

In a recent interview to AtomInfo.Ru, professor Murogov spoke of the nuclear renaissance, international markets and Russian nuclear perspectives abroad. Below there are the excerpts from the interview.

Can you comment on export perspectives of Russian nuclear power?

Talking on knowledge, I have to say that the Russian Federation has the richest experience level in the nuclear power engineering. We have studied all possible directions and our experts had a lot of ideas. The Russian main problem is the implementation. We have failed in accuracy, carefulness and precision. But always we had the plentiful ideas. The Russian nuclear experts are the most talented, educated and competent in the world.

The weak spot of Russian nuclear power engineering is the passage between idea and implementation. We have the hundreds of ideas but have not money for its implementation. Vice versa, the Americans have just a couple of ideas and billion dollars for implementation.

Can I ask you more materially minded question? Now the Russian government is talking about 40-60 nuclear reactor to be constructed abroad by Russian engineers. What do you think - is this a real goal?

Now everybody is talking about this goal. However you have to ask - where is the Russian nuclear industry and where is the Russian construction industry?

Possibly, in 10-15 years of persevering and purposeful work on investments to the construction, uranium industries, nuclear fuel cycle and staff training, we would reach again the level necessary for successful nuclear power engineering development.

Well, let us compare the current level of nuclear Russia with those of our Western rivals?

The Westerners have exactly the same problems like us. But opposite if us, they have an access to the unlimited market. They may order a vessel, steam-generator in any country such as Spain, South Korea and so on. The may take the specialists from any region and give them the worthy tribute.

I agree with the paper recently published in ProAtom.Ru website - Alexey Soldatov "World nuclear renaissance is the threat for Russia!" - that the nuclear renaissance may cause unexpected problem for Russia. The best Russian experts may go to work abroad, in rival companies.

I have to say that the Polish rather Russian experts are working now in Olkiluoto-3, Finland.

Right now, the AREVA group has enough Polish experts. First of all, they will invite the personnel from East Europe. But if we are talking about the renaissance, if we are talking about tens of nuclear units, we must understand that in the future the AREVA group would start to give an employment to the Russians.

By the way, I know that a lot of Russian nuclear engineers are already working in France, in Cadarache. This process of brain drain was started in the 90^th.

Let me remind that French nuclear companies experience difficulties in Finland, on their first nuclear unit to be built abroad.

This is very interesting situation. We will see it not only in Finland, but also in China. Look, the Chinese order the new reactor concepts such as AP-1000 and EPR who does not have any reference. Exactly the same thing happens in Finland too. All the faults and delays in Olkiluoto-3 are the price they have to pay for purchasing new technology.

I think the French would compensate to the Finns all the expenses. The AREVA group was needed in the initial kick, and they receive it in Olkiluoto. After Finnish bid, the AREVA group has obtained the positive decision for new reactor construction in France, namely, in Flamanville NPP. So, the whole process is started now. Finally the French would solve the initial stage problems but right now they have to pay the extra-money.

Earlier China accepted the proven technology only. Now they understand the proven technology means 15-20-years-old technology. Now China selects the up-to-date reactor concepts such as AP-1000 with no reference… This is an indirect answer on you question regarding the competitive strength of Russian nuclear technology abroad.

SOURCE: AtomInfo.Ru

DATE: Feb 13, 2007

Topics: NPP, Russia