nuclear-news

Worried about their nuclear export sales, Russia promotes safety

Vast commercial interests are tied up in the continued adoption of nuclear power and development of reactors, particularly in emerging markets, which are the primary customers of Russia’s nuclear exports….Some of that market is already drying up (at left, Sergei Kiriyenko, Russia’s top nuclear salesman)

Russia Proposes Stricter Rules for Nuclear Safety, New York Times, By ANDREW E. KRAMER,  April 28, 2011, MOSCOW —”…..Russian officials have announced details of what is emerging as their main response to the disaster in Japan: a proposal to create an international regulatory framework for nuclear power…..

Vast commercial interests are tied up in the continued adoption of nuclear power and development of reactors, particularly in emerging markets, which are the primary customers of Russia’s nuclear exports. Those business prospects help make Russia particularly committed to improving safety, rather than letting demand disappear in a din of protests against nuclear power…..

Rosatom sells reactors for $2 billion to $5 billion. A subsidiary, Tvel, exports about $3 billion worth of low-enriched uranium fuel each year, or about 17 percent of global demand.

Some of that market is already drying up. Germany will close seven aging plants ahead of schedule, and Italy has extended indefinitely a moratorium on building new plants…… Mr. Medvedev’s proposal, though announced in Chernobyl, may have been aimed at seizing some initiative in the public debate to restore confidence in the technology, more than at making a significant contribution to safety.. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/business/global/29nuke.html

April 29, 2011 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | politics international, Russia