Energy Ministry expects no changes to Russia's energy balance following possible nuclear reassessment - Shmatko
MOSCOW. March 28 (Interfax) - Russia's Energy Minsiter believes that the country's energy balance will not change following events at Fukushima-1 Nuclear Power Plant in Japan, Energy Minsiter Sergei Shmatko told journalists during the exhibition Russia Power in Moscow.
"It seems to me that no substantial changes will take place in Russia [for the energy balance]," he said.
He said that Russia would stick to its strategy for developing the nuclear sector. However, he added the safety of its fast development would be analyzed. "We will, of course, analyze the issue of nuclear energy's sped-up development," he said, adding that the analysis should be carried jointly with Russia's foreign partners.
"I believe that we will stick to the course already underway for develop nuclear power," Shmatko said. He added that the sector's development vector could be different since it is necessary to wait a bit and see the consequences of the accident at the Japanese NPP.
However, Shmatko noted that a positive attitude should be supported in regards to nuclear energy in the world. "I think that all effort should be applied to maintain a healthy attitude towards the possibilities of developing nuclear power," he said.
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