Russia nuclear program is opened for EU companies

Forum Contacts RSS		RUSSIAN

AtomInfo.Bg, Vessela Vaneva, PUBLISHED November 02, 2011

In the future, European companies could receive orders from Russia for billions of euros for the construction of next generation nuclear power plants in different parts of the world.

The Rosatom State Corporation currently have contracts for the construction of 29 nuclear power units till 2030, while 10 of them are located in the Russian Federation and 19 - abroad. Two Bulgarian units at Belene NPP are included.

According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), nuclear power is very promising technology. Since about 70% of human beings live under conditions of energy deficit, the IAEA predicts the imminent construction of 350 nuclear units in the next 20 years at various locations around the world.

The Rosatom pretends to construct some 30% of it. This means that the value of orders to subcontractors would be over 300 billion euros till 2030.

To cope with this, Russia needs to invest and to expand its own production base but it could be not enough. Many large foreign customers including the Chinese government demand the maximum localization, or involvement of local sub-contractors. This is correct for both construction itself and manufacturing of equipment.

China is the first partner, who insisted that the Russian side should trade reactors and technology because China is going to adapt the foreign reactor technologies for herself.

First breakthrough has been achieved for fuel production when Russia gave the know-how to Chinese companies. Next, the Holy Grail of nuclear plant, so called nuclear island, was on the table. Two Russian-made nuclear units are under operation at Taiwan NPP and two others have under construction status. Four more units would be constructed here in the future. Those units ##5-8 will be constructed by Chinese companies based on Russian technology.

What about the Czech Republic? One can say that the Czech Republic has a chance of strategic partnership with Russia in nuclear power. The basis of the new cooperation is found in the past.

Thirty years ago Plsen's Skoda-JS has been manufactured the vessels for Soviet VVER-1000 reactors and steam generators for Soviet-designed nuclear pants. Well, it was Czechoslovakia who produced and delivered first reactor vessel for Bulgaria's Belene NPP.

Belene is still under discussion but its vessel would start work soon. The Russians uprgrade the Belene NPP design into III+ Generation. The old Czech vessel has been transferred to Russia's Kalinin NPP, 320 km north from Moscow.

The common technical history is a point why the Czech Republic might produce up to 70% of equipment needed for Russian-designed nuclear plants. One may compare with Bulgarian conditions. For Belene NPP, the Bulgarian side is ready to accept 30% of total orders, Western firms can take 25% of works and companies from East Europe - some 6%. The Russian contribution will not exceed 38%.

The Czech Republic will expand its Temelin NPP. It has two VVER-1000 Soviet-designed reactors already. It needs two other units, which should be constructed. The race is started now. The leading world's reactor manufacturers will submit their bids to state-owned Czech company CEZ. The winner would be selected late 2013.

Rosatom is one of participants and one of favorites. The Russian company has a minority stake in a consortium leading by Skoda-JS (51%).

"We offer the long-term cooperation, in Russia, Czech Republic and third countries. If someone would limit the cooperation by two Temelin units only, it is not a point to transfer know-how," Sergey Kiriyenko said. The Rosatom general director explains this during Prague Nuclear Supplier Forum, October 25.

Over two dozens of Russian and Czech nuclear suppliers establish Prague Nuclear Alliance. The members of alliance are IBC Prahaspol.sr.o. (Czech Republic), ZVUPoteza.s. (Czech Republic), ZVUPoteza.s. (Czech Republic), AMT Group (Russia), SigmaGroupa.s. (Czech Republic), SigmaGroupa.s. (Czech Republic), ARAKO spol. (Czech Republic), "Promenergocomplekt" (Russia), ArmaturkaKrnova.s. (Czech Republic), ArmaturkaKrnova.s. (Czech Republic), AMT Region (Russia), LDM spol. (Czech Republic), LDM spol. s ro (Czech Republic), ArmaturyGroup (Czech Republic), Fansa.s. s ro (Czech Republic), KV Steels.ro (Czech Republic), Kralovopolska (Czech Republic), MIco (Czech Republic).

The alliance claims that it will improve the competitiveness of member products in the international market.

The Russia's nuclear program is opened for foreign suppliers. One more proof is the Baltic NPP Virtual Directory. The companies from EU Member States who produce the pipes, cables, valves and who is sure for quality of its equipment could contact the Rosatom asking web-access to full list of equipment needed for Baltic nuclear plant. The access to directory will be given free of charge.

Having the key, any supplier will see what is required for Baltic NPP in Russia's Kaliningrad region. A pretender could mark the equipment of interests, joining the potential subcontractor ranks.

Topics: Bulgaria, Czech

Other news:

Belarus agrees to Russian building of nuclear station

Belarus has already started working on the site, Lukashenko said.

Russia, Bangladesh sign agreement to build nuclear power plant

The agreement was signed by Rosatom's head Sergei Kiriyenko and Bangladeshi Minister for Science, Information and Technology Yeafesh Osman.

Faster than light particles found in nuclear research experiment

If the results are confirmed, they would fundamentally change the understanding of how the universe works.

Hero of the day

Georgy Toshinsky: Booming as a Driving Force to Trade (Reactors?)

Not quite so. The authors of the concept, which was difficult to be realized in practice, turned to a clearer concept of a standing wave reactor (TP-1) that in principle allows finding the solution to the tasks stated for TWRs.

INTERVIEW

Alexander Chistozvonov
Today, the army of managers is earnestly believing that one can take the man responsible for the licensing of alcoholic beverages, and put it on licensing, and even to supervise the nuclear reactor.

OPINION

Konstantin Bogdanov
It appears that the report, which has already been disseminated on the Internet and has evoked numerous comments from the press and even from officials, will not be officially published at all.