The theme of the twelfth annual ATOMEXPO International Forum, which opened on 21 November 2022 in Sochi, is “Atomic Spring: Creating a Sustainable Future.” This theme was selected with intention, as spring is known to symbolise rebirth, renewal, and hope for the future. A serious energy crisis resulting from fossil fuel prices increases, supply instability, and logistics and technological chain disruptions is currently unfolding in the world. Under such unfavourable market conditions, nuclear energy can be harnessed to optimally mitigate the serious energy problems confronting the world’s economies and drive development for decades to come.
This was the topic of an ATOMEXPO plenary session attended by ROSATOM Director General Alexey Likhachev, Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó, CEO of Brazil’s ENBPar Corporation Ney Zanella dos Santos, Belarusian’s Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich, Turkey’s Deputy Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Alparslan Bayraktar, and Bangladesh’s Minister of Science and Technology Yeafesh Osman.
Alexey Likhachev spoke about ROSATOM’s projects for the development of nuclear generation in Russia and the country’s role in diversifying the energy mix of various countries worldwide. He stressed that, to this day, ROSATOM “has not severed any commercial and scientific ties with foreign partners.” In the 15 years since its founding, the country has built 11 power units in Russia and abroad. It is currently building 23 power units abroad in eight countries and has already signed intergovernmental agreements on 34 power units.
As noted by Alexey Likhachev, over the coming 20-30 years, the company’s portfolio is to see the largest growth amongst newcomer countries to the “nuclear club,” countries such as Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, that are working to transition to low-carbon sources, as well as various African countries that have concluded their first agreements with ROSATOM and are already outlining future projects.
Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó said that the country is building a pragmatic and well-thought-out energy strategy that will not only allow it to develop its nuclear industry and gain more autonomy with regard to energy prices, but also reduce its carbon footprint.
CEO of Brazil’s ENBPar Corporation Ney Zanella dos Santos noted that Brazil is a country with a lot of sun and wind and, therefore, the means to successfully implement these two forms of renewable energy. He also noted that about 90% of the country’s energy balance comes from hydroelectric power plants and stressed that the conditions were also favourable for the development of alternative energy sources. “Nuclear energy is another resource that will allow us to expand our horizons,” said Zanella dos Santos.
Zanella dos Santos also spoke about prospects for the widespread use of small modular nuclear reactors in remote areas of Brazil, as well as about the construction of a new nuclear power plant in the north of the country similar to the existing Angra plant. The new plant’s first and second power units have already been put into operation and the third is expected to be commissioned in 2027. Overall, Brazil intends to add 10 GW of nuclear capacity over the next 30 years.
Belarusian’s Minister of Energy Viktor Karankevich said in his speech that the “country already has a modern nuclear power plant working for the benefit of the people and that has generated 9.6 billion kWh since its commissioning.
“Expected to be launched soon, the second unit of Belarusian NPP will significantly reduce CO2 emissions,” said Karankevich, adding that “further cooperation with ROSATOM in such areas as scientific and technical support for the operation of nuclear power plants, the handling of spent nuclear fuel, and the training of personnel for nuclear energy [is expected to] expand.”
The plenary session’s participants agreed that the “nuclear renaissance” is becoming an obvious reality. In October 2022, for instance, Germany’s federal cabinet approved a bill proposed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz to extend the operation of the country’s last three operating nuclear reactors until mid-April 2023. Japan, whose development of nuclear energy stopped after the Fukushima accident, plans to restart its nuclear energy sector and is considering building new nuclear power units. South Korea has rejected the decision of its past leadership to close the country’s nuclear power plant. France and Great Britain intend to increase the respective share of nuclear power generation in their energy mix by 22 and 24 GW, respectively. The United States is extending the life of its nuclear power plants.
At the event’s end, Alexey Likhachev made a forecast on the development of the global nuclear energy industry. “Along with the development of generation 3+ power units, the next 10-15 years will see the development of small nuclear generation [technology]. Then, the transition to dual-component nuclear power system will be resolved by the mid-2050s with the simultaneous operation of thermal and fast reactors with a closed nuclear fuel cycle. As for the long-term, i.e. 50 years or more, we will rely on thermonuclear fusion technologies. I am sure that humanity will gain a unique source of energy, a “man-made sun,” which will contribute to sustainable economic development and improve the quality of life for millions of people,” he said.