Peter Bezukladnikov: Group E4 will become one of the main players

We are talking with Peter BEZUKLADNIKOV, Director General of OJSC "Group E4".

Participation of "GroupE4" in competition for construction of the forth Unit of Kalinin NPP interests Russian nuclear specialists, including our web-site's readers. Could you explain what experience of work in nuclear power "Group E4" company has?

Company "Group E4" was established at the beginning of 2006, as a result of integration of seven leading Russian engineering, service and construction organizations. At present "Group E4" includes 13 holding enterprises with more than 50 production assets. Three enterprises have large experience of work at nuclear power facilities: Polzunov Central Boiler-and-Turbine Institute Research-and-Production Association (OJSC NPO TsKTI), OJSC Scientific-Research and Design Institute "Energoproject" (KIEP) and NPO "Centroenergomontazh". Each enterprise made the unique contribution to development of USSR's nuclear complex.

Centroenergomontazh's specialists took part in erection of the world's first NPP in Obninsk in 1950. Five of ten Centroenergomontazh's erection managements are located at three NPPs (Kursk NPP, Smolensk NPP, Novovoronezh NPP).

The following operating NPPs were constructed using KIEP's designs:

• Rovenskaya NPP: Units 3 and 4 with VVER-1000 reactor (Ukraine);
• Khmelnitskaya NPP: Units 1 and 2 with VVER-1000 (Ukraine);
• Balakovo NPP: Unit 1 with VVER-1000 (Russia);
• NPP Paks, Units 1-4 with VVER-440 (Hungary);
• Ignalina NPP, Units 1-2 with RBMK-1500 reactors (Lithuania).

NPO TsKTI is a parent organization for prolonging lifetime of thermal-mechanical equipment for Leningrad NPP. NPO TsKTI fulfills analogous work for Kursk, Smolensk, Kola and Bilibino NPPs.

That's why "Group E4" has taken part in competition for fulfillment of the complex of work: design and survey work, construction and erection work, starting up and adjustment operations, delivery of equipment, materials and products, fulfillment of other work for completing construction and putting into operation of the Start-up complex of Kalinin NPP's Unit 4.

What does nuclear power mean for your company? Is it a casual interest, or company is seriously going to build own business in this sector of market for a long time?

Today 10 NPPs with 31 units having total power capacity of 23,2 GW(e) are under operation in Russia. The Federal Target Program for nuclear power development till 2030 envisages construction of up to 40 new units. By 2050 a fraction of nuclear power should increase from current 16% up to 25%. On an average it will require about 7 thousand specialists to construct one NPP.

In the first instance, Russian companies will realize this program, which feel the lack of high-qualified personnel at present. Our company will be one of the main players in power plant construction market, because we have all necessary competences, experience and personnel.

In my opinion, acquisition of KIEP in April, 2007 allowed Group E4 to be in the mainstream of NPP construction.

Does Group E4 have further plans for participation in nuclear projects to be discussed about now?

Rosatom's investment program is in open sources. And we are in the process of making decisions, which of projects of the Federal Program are interesting for us and where we can be profitable for Customer.

What role can private funds play in realization of the Federal Target Program for nuclear power development?

I will begin from the fact that 25% of OJSC "Centroenergomontazh's shares are federally owned and this block of shares can include in authorized capital of Atomenergoprom. We, as national company, consider our mission in supplying high-qualified and competitive services at the interface between nuclear and thermal power, as well as industrial engineering. The Federal Program for nuclear power development is very huge, so significant resources will be required. It is very important to develop Russian companies and domestic technologies, and it is feasible in a greater degree with coming private funds in nuclear engineering branch.

Due to the coming Day of Nuclear Industry Workers, on behalf of Group E4 and me, I congratulate all specialists of nuclear branch with this holiday and wish happiness, well-being, "atomic" vitality for you and your relatives.

SOURCE: AtomInfo.Ru

DATE: October 03, 2007

Topics: NPP, Russia