OREANDA-NEWS.  An international Saudi Sustainable Energy Symposium: Value Localization Series took place on April 23 in Riyadh (Saudi Arabia). The Symposium covered issues of development and implementation of the most advanced energy technologies.

The purpose of the forum was to establish mutual understanding and development of cooperation between public institutions, private companies, international industrial groups, equipment manufacturers and potential investors in the energy sector of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Russian nuclear power industry was represented by JSC Rusatom Overseas on behalf of Executive vice-president Boris Arseev. He focused his speech on the state and development of nuclear energy in the world and the role of Rosatom in this process. B. Arseev noted that Rosatom offers integrated solutions from the uranium supply to the construction, operation and decommissioning of nuclear power plants, providing unique opportunities for the development of own industry in partner countries and an integrated approach to the economic, financial and social problems. Profit of national suppliers and regional subcontractors received from orders and sales of electric power goes to the development of infrastructure, increases tax revenues and contributes to energy stability in the region. Construction of high-tech nuclear complex provides jobs in the long term and stimulates growth of skilled engineers and workers, raising the overall scientific and technical potential of the region and its investment attractiveness.

B. Arseev noted that at present time Rosatom has great experience in developing various forms of cooperation with local partners for the successful implementation of its projects. Over the last 40 years local contribution to the nuclear energy projects has grown substantially. For example, in the design and construction coordination of Loviisa NPP (Finland) by Atomenergoexport in the late 70's the contribution to the local suppliers did not exceed 20%. The broader localization program - up to 40% of equipment and services costs has been successfully implemented in Kudankulam (India) in 2011 The latest offer for the European Union, based on NPP-2006 project - Russian nuclear power plant of new generation “3 +” with improved technical and economic parameters, assumes localization of up to 70%.

An interesting example of such localization is the project for the construction of Units 3 and 4 of Temelin NPP (currently Rosatom’s enterprises being in the Consortium led by the Czech Skoda JS participate in the tender to implement this project). With the investments of about 200 billion Czech crowns (7.7 billion euros) localization rate reaches 70% and involves the largest Czech manufacturers of various industrial segments.

It was emphasized that being a responsible supplier of nuclear energy Rosatom in its activities is guided by the fundamental principle of safety by offering products that meet the latest Russian and international standards as well as the requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

At present the potential order volume for reactors of the Russian VVER technology is estimated to be 80 units by 2030. Among the potential partner countries: Finland, Slovakia, Hungary, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and South Africa. B.Arseev also offered cooperation in the development of traditional and alternative energy sources.