Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev reflected on the company’s participation in the 28th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 28) and emphasised the crucial role of nuclear energy in achieving a global low-carbon future.
In a written interview with the Emirates News Agency (WAM) during the global event, Likhachev highlighted Rosatom’s pioneering role in advocating for nuclear power as a key tool in combating climate change.
He noted that Rosatom is one of the first nuclear companies to actively engage in the climate debate and promote this perspective.
Since the COP26 in Glasgow, Rosatom has been a prominent participant in the Russian Federation’s pavilion, organsing various events dedicated to the role of nuclear power in the climate agenda.
Likhachev expressed optimism about the growing recognition of nuclear power’s potential.
He stated that “our voice and the voices of other supporters of nuclear power have started to be heard around the world,” and that “nuclear power is becoming once again in demand, also due to the fact that nuclear technology is constantly being developed and improved.”
Likhachev said that one of the promising areas of development is small modular reactor projects for Small Modular Reactors.
He added that such projects can be implemented where there are isolated energy systems, in remote regions where there is a need for a stable source of clean energy that does not depend on constant supplies of large volumes of fuel.
Likhachev stressed that Rosatom is currently the only nuclear player in the world that has designed and implemented a modern project of a Small Modular Reactor.
“Since the end of 2019, Rosatom has been operating the world’s first floating nuclear power plant that has generated over 700 million kilowatt-hours of electricity for Pevek, a northernmost city in Russia.
Based on this experience, work is underway on the next-generation floating power unit technology based on the RITM-200 reactors,” he said.
Likhachev mentioned that it is planned that by 2029, they will start supplying power for the development of the Baimskaya ore zone in Chukotka.
He added that Rosatom is constructing a land-based SMR in Yakutia and implementing the “Shelf-M” microreactors project with a capacity of up to 35 MW.
“The first plant based on this technology is expected to be in operation by 2030,” he added.
Rosatom Director General is confident that the experience that they are gaining in the coming years will enable them to offer the best solutions in the area of SMR to the partners around the world.
Likhachev mentioned the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, saying, “Joining the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge was an important event for us at the COP28.
This is a groundbreaking initiative to at least triple global nuclear capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Of course, Rosatom did not stand aside and joined this initiative. Its supporters recognise the nuclear power as an essential tool for achieving the goals of zero carbon dioxide emissions.
As those that have joined this initiative, we commit to mobilise and support investments in nuclear power projects, including through innovative financing mechanisms.”
He also mentioned that they agree to maximise the contribution from the existing operating nuclear power plants and accelerate the pace of development of new nuclear technologies.
“This initiative aligns with our vision for a sustainable energy future, and we totally appreciate the governments that have already committed to achieving the stated objective,” he added.
Likhachev also spoke on the role that nuclear power play in combating climate change: “The dialogue on climate change has been carried on for many years.
Gradually it was realised that the requirements for modern energy sources are not limited only to the absence of CO2 emissions during the energy generation.
First of all, emissions are now calculated throughout the entire life cycle, i.e. not only during the operation, but also during the construction and fuel extraction.
Here too, nuclear power is at the forefront: its aggregate greenhouse gas emissions during the whole life cycle are minimal and comparable to those of recognized “green” types of generation: such as wind or hydropower.”
As an example, he mentioned that over their life cycle nuclear power plants produce on average 5.5 g СО2e/kWh, while minimum emissions from hydropower and wind power plants total 6 g and 7.8 g СО2e/kWh, respectively.
He pointed out that all of the world’s nuclear power plants help prevent more than 1 GW of CO2 emissions annually.
He added that if the global nuclear capacity is not increased, the average CO2 emissions could rise by 4 billion tons by 2040 – which is about a tenth of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2021.
“Secondly, an important condition for the development of low-carbon energy production technologies is their reliability and efficiency.
Nuclear power is not dependent on weather changes in the way that solar and wind generation are. Nuclear power plants operate 24 hours, 7 days a week.
That is why the significant contribution of the nuclear energy into combating climate change is beyond doubt and dispute,” he concluded.
The Russian Pavilion at COP28 today hosts the “Atom Day for Future Generations,” featuring Rosatom leaders, Russian and international experts, and partners.
They are set to share insightful perspectives on the crucial role of nuclear technologies in facilitating the energy transition across diverse nations.
Additionally, they’ll present responsible environmental approaches for integrating nuclear technologies within the development of Arctic shipping.
The “Atom Day for Future Generations” has already established itself as a cherished tradition at the Russian Federation pavilion, following its successful debut at COP26 in Glasgow.
