Viktor Opekunov, chairman of State Duma Sub-Committee on Nuclear Energy

– Russian scientists have outrun their foreign colleagues in thermonuclear technologies

State Duma deputy, the chairman of the SD Sub-Committee on Nuclear Energy Viktor Opekunov believes that today, June 27, Russia took an important step towards the development of thermonuclear technologies. “Today, we ratified agreements that pave the way for a big project in the territory of France – joint thermonuclear reactor ITER. Russia will produce and supply high-tech equipment for the project. Its share in the total capital will make up 10% or over $0.5bln. This is an important step towards developing a new type of energy in the coming 20–30 years.”

ITER is a step towards the practical development of controlled fusion energy. The key peculiarities of thermonuclear power engineering are endless fuel reserves and highest ecological safety standards. There is absolutely no possibility of accident.

Opekunov says that Russia’s achievements in the sphere are essential for the project. Our scientists have not only managed to keep pace but have even outrun their foreign colleagues in many aspects of thermonuclear technology development. “Even more, this project is based on the Russian tokamak concept. So, Russia is a kind of fashion queen in the sphere. The project will also apply French, Indian and American technologies. One country cannot cope with such a big project: not only because it costs as much as $6bln (the Americans have found the money and we too) but because it requires big intellectual investments. This project will result in a real intellectual breakthrough,” says Opekunov.