How is the Rosatom empire expanding?
Author: Naeem Asghari, analyst (Germany), especially for “Sangar”
Nuclear energy is the safest and cleanest, and is gaining worldwide popularity. The leading position in the construction of nuclear power plants remains with the Russian Federation. Only at the moment, Rosatom is building 3 new power units in the country, and the state corporation’s foreign order portfolio includes 33 modern power units in different parts of the world. Russian nuclear technologies are being implemented in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Asia-Pacific region. Such data indicate confidence in Russian developments; many countries around the world associate serious energy prospects with them.
The most famous Rosatom projects abroad are the Paks-2 nuclear power plants in Hungary, Kudankulam in India, Akkuyu in Turkey, Xudapu and Tianwan in China and many others.
Recent events in Bangladesh, where a new stage in the construction of the first power unit of the Rooppur NPP, have begun, have aroused noticeable interest in the world community. In early October, the leaders of the two countries, Vladimir Putin and Sheikh Hasina, took part in a ceremony marking the import of Russian nuclear fuel. It was noted that construction work is going according to plan, about 20,000 people are working on construction sites, most of whom are citizens of Bangladesh. Russian specialists are providing technological support for the project.
According to Vladimir Putin, this flagship project meets the interests of the two countries and contributes to the deepening of mutually beneficial cooperation. Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant helps develop the economy and strengthen energy security of Bangladesh.
An intergovernmental agreement on the construction of a nuclear power plant consisting of two power units in Bangladesh was signed in 2011, with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts. The project complies with international safety requirements, and is based on the optimal combination of active and passive safety systems.
Another landmark project is being implemented on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Al Dabaa is Egypt's first nuclear power plant. Its total capacity will be 4.8 GW, and will be based on four power units with Russian VVER-1200 reactor units. These power units belong to generation “3+” and meet the highest international safety requirements. The construction of the third power unit is currently underway; in the spring, the first concrete was poured into the foundation slab of the facility. The Russian side undertakes to ensure supplies of nuclear fuel for the entire life cycle of the nuclear power plant, provide support in the operation of the station and training of specialists.
