About nuclear energy consensus in society is impossible in principle. As supporters and ardent opponents of this form of energy in the sleeves quite a few. Their assessment of safety, reliability and economic efficiency are diametrically opposed, irreconcilable positions. However, the “peaceful atom” expands the geography. Next in line is Egypt. His partner — Russia.
Thus, recently it became known that Russia and Egypt entered the final stage of negotiation of the commercial contract for the NPP construction project, close to the Egyptian al-Dabaa on the Mediterranean. Russian trade representative in the country Fedor Lukashin revealed details:
“The construction of a nuclear power station is a large complex, including preparatory work. It is currently completing the negotiation of the commercial contract on the project. On site are a few dozen Russian specialists, who carry out activities in preparation of the zero cycle works”.
Fedor Lukashin
The negotiation process began in November last year. For a start we are talking about a nuclear power plant consisting of four power units of 1200 MW each. However, “Rosatom” came to the matter comprehensively, offering assistance to Egypt in establishing a nuclear industry, including the performance of high-tech projects. The signing of the contract for construction is expected in the current year. The cost of it is impressive: more than $26 billion.
Such international order that potentially receive Russian nuclear scientists, are the envy of other powers, developing this kind of energy. These countries, by the way, while quite a bit — just 31. Their territories are operated 192 nuclear plant. Moreover, not every country is advanced in the industry.
Russia, however, being one of the pioneers of nuclear energy, with good isolation from outsiders among the five leaders. So, the “left behind” Armenia has only one nuclear power plant with two energoblok capacity of 375 MW. And on the territory of the Russian Federation are today 10 nuclear power plants, which includes 35 units. Their cumulative capacity makes 24654 MW. Ten of the units have the status under construction, but the construction of 14 included in the work plan for the next five years. Longer term Outlook — over the next 15 years — is also marked: it implies the construction of another three dozen units.
However, this is not the most outstanding performance. In France, for example, generate energy 58 nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 63130 MW. And the United States and is escaped far forward. Today on the territory of this country there are 100 units, total capacity MW equal 99244. However, despite the visible gap, the share of the “peaceful atom” in the overall energy balance of the country in the United States is 19.5%. In France, the team took a gamble with this kind of energy: French nuclear power plants produce 78% of all electricity for their own needs. Act, 2005, defines the main directions of energy policy of France, confirms the maintenance of nuclear power as the main source of electricity in France.
Russia, which a huge number of thermal and hydro power plants, to solve the energy problem comprehensively suitable: supply, nuclear energy accounts for only 18.6% of the total volume. There are, however, pleasant and particular. For example, Novovoronezh NPP 85% of Voronezh oblast provides electricity and 50% heat the town of Novovoronezh.
Large types of the state Corporation “Rosatom” on the world market. By the end of 2015, the portfolio of foreign orders for the Corporation for ten years exceeded $110 billion By the way, if a deal in Egypt were able to conclude until the end of last year, this sum would have grown to $140 billion foreign Workers corporazione ambitious plans — to fill the portfolio up to $160. Export Rosatom revenues last year grew by 28% compared to the 2014 year and amounted to $6.4 billion As the head of state Corporation Sergei Kirienko, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, the order portfolio already includes contracts for the construction of 30 reactors in 12 countries. Another 10 units are negotiating. The total amount of porfessionally about $300 billion and has a tendency to increase.
All this, alas, does not mean the triumphant March of the Russian atom in the world. Competition at this site is high enough, sometimes you have to elbow. In recent years, especially don’t skimp on pegs Europe. And incite the countries of the Old world, the American state Department. Indicative in this respect the confrontation between Rosatom and Westinghouse. In the past, this company was 100% American, but now it is 90% owned by Japan, and 10% – to Kazakhstan. That’s it-that even to the detriment of their financial interests, the Americans are trying to use as a cudgel, able to knock Rosatom from Eastern Europe. The fact that the Russian manufacturer of fuel assemblies company TVEL for many years was the sole supplier for the countries of the former Soviet bloc. But largely under pressure from Washington, these countries were forced to turn towards the American protégé.
The representative of Rosatom Vladislav Bochkov in this regard, said:
“Us officials from foreign videostandarta showed their support for Westinghouse, and under the pretext of reducing energy dependence on Russia urged the Europeans to give preference to this company as supplier of nuclear fuel”.
Vyacheslav Bochkov
In solidarity with our experts and the authors energy research group Trusted Sources:“It would be wrong to assume that in the tender process there is no political influence”.
And Stratfor agreed that it was a political and financial support to weaken the Kremlin’s influence.
Hand twisted Eastern European countries even at a loss to themselves. Because the products of Westinghouse, where they were forced to give preference to, turned out to be more expensive than Russian. Moreover, Bulgaria, under pressure from the overseas owner to stop the construction of NPP with two power units, have flown on $1.3 billion of This amount she had to pay to Rosatom for breach of contract.
American pressure is not limited. In Europe has its own atomic energy groupnational with big ambitions. It’s France. Its state-owned company AREVA, for example, controls 30% of the world market for the production and maintenance of nuclear reactors and 80% of the market of regeneration of nuclear fuel. Thanks to the newest technologies in this country forces, nuclear energy produces the cheapest electricity — it costs only 11 cents. Providing yourself first, France is also the largest exporter of electricity in the world. Export brings her around 3 billion euros annually. Its main buyers — Italy, UK, Switzerland and Spain. In a queue, and Germany, after the Fukushima accident committed to curtailing its nuclear energy.
With nuclear capabilities, France could wait for the sweet cookies and the TRANS-Pacific partnership (TPP). Duty-free energy trade with the countries of this free trade zone, she promises fabulous profits. But while the French “nuclear lobby”, apparently unable to overcome the General skepticism against the TTP in General.
But it is these lobbyists successfully promote their plans under the guise of ridding Europe from energy dependence on Russia. The German magazine Spiegel, citing caught at his disposal the report of the recently revealed such plans:
“In Germany in 2022 need to decommission the last nuclear power plant. In Europe, on the contrary, the development of this controversial technology will be strengthened at the behest of the European Commission.
Member of the Council for interethnic relations under the President of Russia Bogdan Bezpalko believes:
“Nuclear power is a good product that can be sold on the market as the Europe, and to compete with other producers — Russia, USA, partly Japan. I think the main reason is simply the market expansion of the French nuclear power producers as the main representatives of the energy sector of the European Union”.
Bogdan Bezpalko
The expert is skeptical about the prospects of using nuclear energy to completely replace Russian gas. Really, it’s all in the numbers. Now in the EU, only 27% of electricity is produced nuclear energy. Globally, this proportion does look miserable 2.6 per cent in the overall energy balance. In these figures the demand for Russian gas will not disappear for a long time.
According to Bogdan Bezpalko, the talk about replacement of Russian gas on nuclear power — no more than a PR campaign of the European Union:
“I was formerly a PR project that we are now quickly replace Russian gas with liquefied American. What were the celebration and triumph over the tanker, which was held in Lithuania, but all these “caps” quickly fell to the ground, after it turned out that it is much more expensive… I think this project represents about the same”.
Bogdan Bezpalko
