Valentin Mezhevich, First Vice Chairman of Commission on Natural Monopolies of Federation Council

– During the opening of Atomexpo 2009 the leaders of the country and the managers of Rosatom made crucial statements

In 2009 the Government of Russia will allocate almost $4.5bln for the support of the national nuclear industry, Vice Premier of Russia-Head of the Staff of the Government of Russia Sergey Sobyanin said during Atomexpo forum. He said that nuclear energy was one of the key priorities of the Russia-Europe cooperation. Director General of Rosatom Sergey Kiriyenko said that despite its focus on national equipment Rosatom was open for international partnership and was ready to take part in international projects on parity basis. Rosatom supposes that the demand for electricity will be restored in no earlier than two years and, therefore, is revising its NPP construction plans: now, we are planning to start building two reactors a year in 2014–2015.

During the opening of Atomexpo 2009 the leaders of the country and the managers of Rosatom made a number of crucial statements. First, nuclear energy continues to be one of our key priorities despite the economic crisis and will receive stable governmental financing. Second, Rosatom’s reliance on the domestic industry means that the development of nuclear energy implies the preservation and support of the national producers of high-tech equipment. The decision to put off the deadlines of NPP construction projects shows that Rosatom is prudent and spends state money only after thorough market analyses and efficiency assessments.

The legislative government must actively stimulate the development of the nuclear industry. The enlarged meeting of the Expert Board on Nuclear Energy of the State Duma’s Committee on Energy “Legislative Support of Nuclear Industry Development in Current Conditions” was one more step to draft a package of supporting laws. We have adopted recommendations for the legislative authorities and I hope that they will help us to increase the share of nuclear power plants in our total power production and to be legislatively ready for entering the international markers.