Rosatom eyes 40 potential nuclear construction projects abroad
NOVO-OGAREVO. Jan 9 (Interfax) - Rosatom currently has contracts to build 20 nuclear power blocks abroad and is examining with its foreign partners construction of another 40 nuclear power blocks, Rosatom chief Sergei Kirienko said at a meeting with President Vladimir Putin.
"We currently have contracts for 20 blocks. After Fukushima, the volume of orders doubled, even though the market contracted a bit. There are another 40 in development," Kirienko said, adding the hope that, at a minimum, "of those 40 projects, every other one will result in a contract."
Kirienko paid particular attention to nuclear power plant construction projects in China and India.
Russian specialists have already built two power units at the Tianwan nuclear power station. After evaluating their performance, China has decided to continue cooperation with Russia, he said.
"It is important that they make that decision, because the Chinese build their own nuclear power units, the Americans are building there, the French. That is, the competition is fierce. In that environment, they have ordered another two blocks from us, work on them has already begun," Kirienko said.
As for construction of new blocks at the Kudankulam nuclear power station in India, Kirienko said: "The Indian government is currently finalizing compensation for civil damages."
"We have submitted our version and await a response in the nearest future," he said.
Rosatom's partners in India "confirmed compliance with the road map [for construction of the new blocks]," which was signed by President Putin during his visit to Delhi, Kirienko said.
Vietnam is also on Kirienko's list. "We have signed a contract on four blocks at one site. The Vietnamese partners want to expand the number of sites," he said.
Preparatory work is being finalized in Turkey. "The order for the main equipment has been submitted. The licensing formalities were completed in 2013. Design work on the new station was completed at the end of December. The project is being transferred to the supervisory agencies," Kirienko said.
Kirienko vowed to complete nuclear power blocks in Russia this year "at a Soviet pace."
"This year we expect to launch power blocks at a Soviet pace. We are currently building nine power blocks here," he said.
The launch phase of the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant is already underway, he said. "In March output will begin at the minimum controllable level; by the end of summer the power station will be launched," Kirienko said.
Russia plans to launch another two power units at the end of 2014. "We must launch the Rostov station, although we had tentatively scheduled that for 2015. The physical launch of the Novo-Voronezh NPP is also planned," he said.
