OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2011. Rosatom State Corporation has taken the decision to suspend the works on capacities growth at the 11 reactors of RBMK type (a channel reactor of high capacity), which are at present installed at three Russian NPPs.

First Deputy General Director – Director of Rosatom Corporation Direction on nuclear power complex Alexander Lokshin reported.

“We decided to suspend the works at RBMK, but this is no connected with Fukushima, — A. Lokshin, who takes part in public forum and dialogue “Nuclear Power. Society. Safety” in St. Petersburg, told the journalists on Tuesday. Alexander Lokshin noted that the State Corporation is planning to make the capacities at the reactors of VVER type higher.

He specified that by 2030 Rosatom is planning to increase the share of nuclear power in Russia up to 20–25% from the 16% existing at present.

According to A. Lokshin, Rosatom is not planning to reconsider the plans on the number of constructed units, but may decommission the operating ones. The safety of nuclear power use appeared to be in the spotlight of the World Community after the earthquake of March 11, in particular, at Fukushima-1. Thus, in a number of countries the programs on peaceful atom development appeared to be under the threat of closure.