Ivan Vasilchenko, deputy chief designer of Gidropress EDB

– Such contracts help Russia to disseminate its advanced nuclear fuel and reactor technologies all over the world

Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation and China Nuclear Energy Industry Corporation have signed a memorandum for the construction of two more units at Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant. The document has been signed by the prime ministers of Russia and China. The memorandum also envisages the construction of the fourth gas centrifuge plant in China and the building of an experimental fast-breeder reactor.

For us, as a producer of fuel, two more units in China mean enlargement of our market. Such contracts help Russia to disseminate its advanced nuclear fuel and reactor technologies all over the world. We have already started to build a nuclear power plant in Bulgaria and have similar plans in Turkey, Africa and Central Asia.

As you may know, the general practice in the world is that the constructor of a nuclear power plant should operate and maintain it for a definite period after launch. When this period expires, the plant is given to the host state. Russia has not yet applied this scheme but may well adopt it as it has highly qualified personnel while many of the host countries may be short of them. Thus, by introducing our advanced technologies we may go deeper into the world market. 

In terms of safety, Tianwan NPP is one of the safest nuclear power plants for the moment. So, I think that we will continue our cooperation with China in the field of NPP construction.