ello (@piers)

#Putin: "Colleagues, good afternoon. Today, **we will discuss matters concerning the development of one of the key sectors of Russia’s fuel and energy complex**. The conversation will **focus on nuclear energy**, and the current and future goals for this strategic sector. "First and foremost, **I would like to note that today marks 81 years since the establishment of Russia’s nuclear industry**. On this important anniversary, I would like to extend my greetings to all industry veterans and employees. I would like to add that from the very first days of the atomic project, alongside addressing defence objectives, the peaceful applications of nuclear energy – in power generation, transportation, and other sectors – were given the utmost attention. "Today, the nuclear energy sector, with its tremendous concentration of scientific expertise, technology, state-of-the-art materials, manufacturing and construction solutions, and highly skilled professionals, is, without exaggeration, a source of pride for our country. Russia is perhaps the only country in the world to have competencies across the entire nuclear energy chain with a solid track record of upholding high safety standards and ensuring the reliable operation of nuclear power plants. "It is these competitive advantages that have made Russia a leader in building NPPs abroad. Today, Rosatom has 28 power units in its portfolio in various countries around the world. "Nuclear power generation has special importance for ensuring the stable operation of the domestic power grid. Its share in the national energy mix has been increasing. Today, nuclear energy accounts for about 20 percent of domestically produced electric power. "Long-term plans for this sector in Russia provide for launching about 30 gigawatts of nuclear generating capacity, including small NPPs. This will not only replace power units that are set to reach the end of their life cycle, but will also help substantially increase the overall nuclear power generation capacity. "Plans to build power units across a wider geography have special importance. The latest nuclear stations will be built in the Urals, Siberia and Russia’s Far East for producing affordable, clean energy. "This effort is designed to create a solid foundation for infrastructure development with a view to promoting long-term regional and territorial development and facilitating the emergence of new, energy-intensive production sites, including those specialising in the deep processing of natural resources in the Arctic, Siberia and Russia’s Far East, while also serving sectors and powering services which have been playing an increasingly important role in the present-day economy. I am referring to electric transport, industrial robotics, automation in the services sector, etc. "And, of course, that includes the development of artificial intelligence tools and the construction of data storage and processing centres. These elements of the digital, platform economy are driving growing demand for electricity. This demand must be calculated and planned for, and the necessary generating capacity must be provided, including, of course, from nuclear power plants. "In this regard, **I would like to emphasise the following key points**. "First. It is important to ensure technological readiness for the design and construction of nuclear power plants – both large and small – and to have a range of standard power units that can be assembled in series, on a production-line basis. "This means scaling up the manufacture of power engineering products based on domestic developments. Industry and related enterprises, research centres, and laboratories must be prepared for this. "Second. A vitally important task is ensuring that nuclear power plants have a sufficient fuel supply. Here, we must work to strengthen our own resource base, conduct geological exploration, and develop deposits. "Third. Competition in the global nuclear energy industry is fierce, and we must strengthen our technological leadership in this field, continually improve the safety of nuclear generation, and enhance its economic efficiency. Russia possesses the most advanced closed nuclear cycle technologies, which allow for the repeated use of fuel. We must ensure the widespread adoption of such technical solutions. "Fourth. The construction and maintenance of nuclear facilities clearly requires highly skilled personnel. Our national school of thought is strong in this area, but, I repeat, our competitors are also advancing rapidly. Therefore, we must maintain a high standard of training for relevant specialists – scientists, engineers, technicians, and managers – and provide opportunities for existing industry workers to continually upgrade their skills. "Fifth. Successfully implementing our plans in the nuclear energy industry requires a sustainable financial model for its growth [...]." Kremlin (20.8.26); p (5) http://en.kremlin.ru/events/president/news/80563