Shamil Sultanov, deputy of State Duma

— Russia has all chances to challenge French and Japanese companies on the nuclear energy market

The deputy of the State Duma of Russia, the member of the SD Committee on International Affairs Shamil Sultanov welcomes the achievements of Russian nuclear power engineers in China. On Sept 12 Atomstroyexport officially commissioned the 1st and 2nd units of Tianwan NPP. Presently, both units are operating at full capacity and supplying Jiangsu province with electricity.

“Today, it is very important for Russia to get a worthy share on the world nuclear energy market. Year in year out the world is running increasingly short of natural energy resources. Today, more and more countries are beginning to opt for nuclear power engineering. We will hardly find any alternative to nuclear energy in the coming 30–40 years. So, we must develop international cooperation in the sphere and actively expand into new markets. We have all chances to challenge the French and Japanese companies cooperating with China,” says Sultanov.

“I have lots of meetings with officials and businessmen from Islamic countries. I think we have quite good prospects there. The Arabs have a great investment potential and they would prefer – even politically – to work with us rather than with the French. Most of the Islamic countries have ratified the non-proliferation treaty. Only Iran has problems with IAEA.”

“As regards China, the rivalry will grow. All nuclear powers seek to conquer new markets. I think that many countries, including China, may want to have our technologies. Nuclear power plant is a very complex technology. It cannot be replicated as easily as an audio recorder or a car. We have lots of technologies in stock, great experience, highly-reputed research companies and creative people. So, I think we have been and will be the leaders in the sphere. Simply, we mustn’t relax and we must be ready for tough rivalry,” says Sultanov.