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Russia Aims to Lead in Nuclear Energy, Building Over 10 Reactors Worldwide, Reuters Reports

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Maryna_kulakova
Maryna Kulakova
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Russia Aims to Lead in Nuclear Energy, Building Over 10 Reactors Worldwide, Reuters Reports
This aerial photograph taken on on October 4, 2023, shows the Russia-backed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant in Rooppur. (Source: Getty Images)

Russia is building over 10 nuclear power units worldwide to meet the growing energy demand driven by artificial intelligence and emerging markets, according to the Financial Times, citing Boris Titov, a representative of Russian leader Vladimir Putin, on December 23.

The country is intensifying efforts to expand its global influence by building nuclear plants in Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Iran, and Turkey.

“We are building more than 10 different units around the world. We need a lot of energy. We will not be able to provide this energy without using . . . nuclear. We know that it’s safe . . . it’s not emitting [greenhouse gas emissions], so it is very clean,” said Titov.

According to Titov, Russia anticipates strong demand for nuclear energy from developing countries seeking cleaner energy sources, as well as from technology companies using artificial intelligence in data processing centers.

Titov stated that Russia aims to solidify its role as “one of the biggest builders of new nuclear plants in the world.”

Russia’s portfolio of foreign nuclear projects, which includes reactor construction, fuel supply, and other services, spans 54 countries, Reuters reports.

Additionally, Russia plans to build a small modular reactor plant in Uzbekistan and has signed a deal with the ruling junta of Burkina Faso for 2023.

While Washington and the European Union seek to reduce dependence on Russian nuclear fuel, Hungary and Slovakia oppose sanctions in this area. With the exception of Hungary, most Eastern European countries signed contracts for fuel supply from American company Westinghouse after the onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine.

It was previously reported that the United States has granted Hungary an exception to sanctions against Gazprombank, allowing Budapest to continue payments for Russian gas, according to Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó on December 19.

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