OREANDA-NEWS. April 8, 2009. The memorandum reflects the commitment of the Italian companies to enlarge their competences in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy and their NPP construction technologies.

The companies have agreed to develop their cooperation in exchanging experience and knowledge in the field of project management, building nuclear power plants on the basis of reactors of Russian design, conducting research and developing new NPP technologies.

In 2008 the Italian Government approved a nuclear energy development strategy stipulating that by 2030 the share of nuclear power plants in the total energy production in Italy should be increased to 25%. Some 8–10 nuclear reactors will be built during this period with the first projects to be started within the next five years. Today, 10% of the energy used by Italy is nuclear power imported from the EU. The Italian authorities are presently examining a package of legislative acts envisaging development of national research centers, licensing of NPP projects and construction sites.

The memorandum demonstrates the commitment of the key players of the Italian energy sector to develop long-term partnership with the leading Russian companies building NPPs abroad, including cooperation with industrial and financial partners.

The memorandum covers not only the traditional energy sector but also the sphere of nuclear power engineering.