OREANDA-NEWS. Representatives of ROSATOM took part in the annual Platts European Power Summit held on April 25-26 in Amsterdam.

The 7th European Power Summit organized by Platts newswire focused on a discussion of strategies for the European energy’s sector switch to greener business models. The key discussion topics at the event included such pivotal industry issues as the economic and technical aspects of the European energy sector transformation, trends in the development of low-carbon energy forms – particularly renewable energy and nuclear power, as well as the challenges and opportunities for the region’s energy systems and electricity markets integration.

The head of ROSATOM’s regional center in Western Europe Andrey Rozhdestvin spoke at the panel discussion, highlighting the role of nuclear power in solving some of Europe’s most pressing energy issues. ‘A lot of people are now talking about the ‘trilemma’ that the European energy sector is facing: decarbonisation of the economy, security of supply, and affordability. I think that nuclear power fits the bill perfectly as the answer to all of these challenges. There is definitely room for nuclear power in the EU energy sector. I believe that every country should be allowed to make its own choice whether it wants to continue its nuclear programme and running its nuclear power plants. I believe that in future nuclear power will become much more attractive and competitive as an energy source.’  

Rozhdestvin made a point of the company’s considerable experience in constructing nuclear power plants that comply with the latest and most stringent safety and technical regulations. ‘After Fukushima, we made the strategic decision to keep building new NPPs, and we started with Russia, where nine nuclear power units are currently under construction. This allowed us to maintain the capacity and expertise for building NPPs, and we were wise in that we’d already introduced new safety standards that later were reflected in the post-Fukushima measures. Our commitment to building new NPPs means we have also managed to perfect the technology – as a proof, later this year, the world’s first Gen 3+ reactor will be connected to the grid at the Novovoronozeh NPP in Russia.’  

Dmitry Sukhanov, Head of International Energy Business and Deputy CEO of Atomenergosbyt, also spoke at the summit with a presentation on the opportunities for Baltic electricity markets integration via third-party infrastructure, using the example of the Baltic NPP in the Kaliningrad region in Western Russia. The speaker stressed the high importance of facilitating deep mutual integration of power systems and electricity markets for achieving the goal currently facing the EU, as outlined in the Concept of the Energy Union and the long-term energy strategy for Europe (Energy Roadmap 2050). He also remarked on the existing extensive opportunities for cooperation between EU and non-EU countries. ‘A mutually beneficial cooperation between EU and non-EU countries will contribute to meeting the goals set by the EU. We have carried out estimations of the positive impact that the implementation of the Baltic NPP project will have on the region’s economy. In addition to having a positive effect on the region’s economic development, the successful implementation of the project will contribute to significant reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 20 million tons per year, as well as a significant increase in the reliability of electricity supply in the region. The successful implementation of the Baltic NPP project will contribute to achieving EU energy policy objectives in the region without additional burden on consumers. We offer a promising joint solution that meets environmental criteria with no burden on consumers and opens new opportunities for European businesses,’ Sukhanov commented.

The summit’s participants included the energy sector’s key players, representatives of finance and consultancy firms and related industries, regulatory bodies and international academic and research institutions, as well as energy experts.