Leonid Bolshov, Director of IBRAE RAN, doctor of physical-mathematical sciences, professor

— Russian state officials have overcome their fear of nuclear power engineering

The high interest in nuclear power engineering is due to objective need for nuclear energy. Until recently the government has been suspicious of nuclear power engineering, which has been a serious obstacle to the development of the sector and active investments therein. The new head of the sphere has helped government officials to overcome their fear. It is very important that the sphere has received the President’s support. All the remaining achievements are the result of this important factor. I, first of all, mean the development program which will get a very serious budgetary and non-budgetary financing — a program that will allow Russia to build 2–3 units against former 1/3 unit a year. It’s a difficult task. Today, we are not ready to build 2 units a year, but I think that we can cope with it: what we should do is to work hard to restore and strengthen our machine building capacities.

Second achievement is the program of nuclear and radiation safety. The government has changed its approach to this program: it has ceased to be just some decoration and has been turned into a real effective instrument, which can, first, solve the problem of «cold war» legacy and, second, provide appropriate infrastructure for nuclear energy sector development.

Besides, I would like to point out our accomplishments on the international arena. At last, we have managed to fully launch Tianwan NPP. Those who are aware of this problem certainly know what a difficult task it was. When we started the construction we did not imagine what difficulties we would face.

TVEL’s victory over Westinghouse is also a great success. Our long-term contracts with Finnish Loviisa and Czech Temelin were a matter of principle. However,  we should not be much too enthusiastic. Westinghouse is investing huge funds in research and development. We should also do if we want to develop this success.