Yevgeny Velikhov, Secretary of Public Chamber, President of Kurchatov Institute, academic

— Nuclear energy is important for Russia both ecologically and economically

The development of nuclear energy is important for Russia, first of all, in terms of ecological safety, the Secretary of the Public Chamber, the President of Kurchatov Institute, academic Yevgeny Velikhov said during the international conference “Global Security and Sustainable Development: Ecology – Economy – Energy.”

“I think that there are three reasons why nuclear energy is important for our country. First, we want to increase our incomes due to modern industry. Second, economically, it is extremely important to replace natural gas as fuel. When we use gas as fuel, we waste huge money. So, its replacement by nuclear energy is crucial, especially, for regions,” says Velikhov. The third reason is that the world (other countries) will certainly develop nuclear energy. “G8 Summit has showed that they will, and it is very important for Russia to take part in this global process,” Velikhov said.

                                                                                                                                                             RIA Novosti