Dmitry Baranov, leading expert of MC «Finam Management»:

 — construction of nuclear facilities in other countries and cooperation with them in this field brings a substantial income to our country which doesn’t just replenish the Russian budget but some per cent of this money is spent on development of domestic nuclear power industry

On July 14 the Turkish parliament ratified the Russian-Turkish agreement on construction of the first NPP in the country. The agreement was signed on May 12, 2010 in Ankara. Russia and Turkey will hereunder cooperate in the field of construction and operation of the NPP in Akkuyu in south Mersin province. After entry of this agreement into effect the Russian party will start the project campaign. The future NPP capacity is expected to be 4800 mW that is equal to 14% of todays capacity generated by Turkey

Dmitry Baranov, leading expert of MC «Finam Management»:

Together with development of nuclear power industry in Russia Rosatom pays great attention to international cooperation in this field.

Firstly, it’s important from the point of view of competition with other nuclear powers: by choosing our products and technologies the newcomers transmit a kind of a «signal» to other country that proves that Russian nuclear technologies are reliable, effective and safe.

Secondly, construction of nuclear facilities in other countries and cooperation with them in this field brings a substantial income to our country which doesn’t just replenish the Russian budget but some per cent of this money is spent on development of domestic nuclear power industry: actually, working in other countries Rosatom gradually performs the mission assigned by the state — self-sufficiency.

Construction of NPP in one or another country is always the result of the checks and balances system, of a certain compromise in the society. And before the final decision is made it’s very important to weigh all pros and cons. It is necessary to point out that Rosatom always tries to understand the choice of its partners and trusts them in this matter implicitly. Moreover, it’s ready to revise its position if necessary upon condition of response concessions on the part of its partner. That’s why delaying a solution of Belene NPP construction problem by Bulgarian administration was perceived by Russia sensibly, furthermore, different ways out were suggested. Now, so to speak, Bulgaria has all the advantages. If this issue was solved more promptly Bulgaria would get the unique chance to become a kind of energy center of the region. But since there is no such solution the vacant position of such energy leader may be now occupied by Turkey. And the latter may become the country that will provide electric power to its neighbours and draw income.

Nevertheless, Bulgaria has the chance at least to share energy leadership with Turkey.

Russia offers construction of NPPs in other states on various terms. For example, financial: to construct NPP at the receiving country expense or to do this at the Russian expense; building: to erect the plant with the participation of indigenous contractors or without them; technological: the entire NPP will be furnished with Russian equipment or, for example, some part of equipment will be produced by foreign companies.

Organizational conditions are also critical: either the plant will be commissioned to the customer just upon completion of construction, or it will be operated on «construct and own» terms which have recently appeared in the world nuclear power industry. In this case we operate the plant more efficiently. I mean that the “construct and own” method will become the main one in Rosatom activity aimed at NPPs construction abroad in the nearest future.