Rosatom, Laos could sign road map on peaceful use of nuclear energy in September
VIENTIANE. Sept 7 (Interfax) - Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom plans to sign a road map on the peaceful use of nuclear energy in September, say materials for Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev visit to Laos.
A memorandum on cooperation was signed in the spring.
In the framework of the memorandum it is planned to begin cooperation in the field of designing, equipping and commissioning nuclear power and research reactors, in the field of fundamental and applied research, nuclear and radiation safety, and also in the field of nuclear medicine, education and training of personnel.
The creation of a joint working group for determining concrete projects was envisaged. It was also planned to develop and prepare an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy for signing.
In August 2015 during an interview with Rosatom's in-house publication, Laotian Deputy Energy Minister Sinava Souphanouvong said that Rosatom and Laos are discussing the possibility of building a nuclear power plant in Laos. This concerned two VVER power-generating units with a capacity of 1,000-1,200 MW each. The NPP may be built according to a build-operate-transfer scheme.
Laos is currently one of the leading producers of hydropower in Southeast Asia. The country's location in the central part o Mainland Southeast Asia puts it in a good position to export electricity to neighboring countries such as Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Asian countries also practice a policy of mutual aid. Singapore is a potential buyer, Souphanouvong said.
Laos earlier secured an agreement to supply 5 GW of electricity to Vietnam, and exports to Thailand could total up to 10 GW. Therefore, sales of electricity from a future nuclear plant would be secured by export potential.
Power plants in Laos currently have combined capacity of 8 GW. More than 80 projects are in the works to build new power plants, upon completion of which the country will have generating capacity of about 22 GW.