Vladimir Zhidkikh, member of Federation Council

– In the last years Russian nuclear power engineers have proved their efficiency and have enlisted the state’s support

The share of nuclear power plants in total energy production in Russia must be increased to 25%-30% despite the financial crisis, Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin said during a conference on nuclear energy at Kalinin Nuclear Power Plant in Tver region. He said that under the crisis this task needs special attention. Putin also granted Rosatom’s request for additional capitalization worth 50bln RUR.

The state gives high priority to the development of nuclear energy for three reasons. First, the nuclear industry is least vulnerable to crises. Second, in the last years Russian nuclear power engineers have proved their efficiency and have enlisted the state’s support. Third, sooner or later we will overcome the crisis. I represent Tomsk region in the Federation Council. Last year the region was on the verge of energy crisis. The nuclear program has been approved, we have a road map – all this is a post-crisis salvation for Russia.

It is very important that the Premier has approved the program to build 26 nuclear reactors by 2030 even though it has been revised a bit. Tomsk region will also build an NPP. We have not yet decided where we will build it but we have already coordinated this project with our population. Our people fear that because of the crisis our government may run short of necessary resources. That’s why Rosatom’s 50bln RUR additional capitalization was a very pragmatic step under present conditions. It has shown that we are thinking about the future.