With over 1,600 participants from 48 countries, Atomexpo has become a Russian point of attraction for foreign companies whose numbers grew nearly 2.5 times year-over-year, stressed Kirill Komarov. “These figures prove considerable interest towards nuclear power and Russia’s continuing leadership in nuclear technologies.”
According to him, the global nuclear industry demonstrates an upward trend. The growth is concentrated in BRICS and Asian countries. 67 reactors are currently constructed worldwide.
Rosatom is a high performer by the number of reactors under construction – 9 units in Russia and 29 units overseas. “Thus, we build 38 units, more than anyone else in the world,” said Mr. Komarov.
“With a 40% share of the uranium enrichment market, we are still Number One in this field. We are Number Two globally in terms of installed NPP capacity. We have the second largest uranium reserves in the world – apart from Russia, Uranium One possesses deposits in Kazakhstan, Australia, Tanzania and Canada. We are a global Top 3 producer of nuclear fuel,” he continued.
Kirill Komarov underlined the fact that Rosatom had recently expanded its portfolio of international contracts on nuclear construction, fuel supplies, uranium enrichment and nuclear station maintenance. “Over the last four years, we signed new contracts for more than USD 80 billion. As at 1 January 2015, our ten-year portfolio totaled USD 101.4 billion in orders, and we plan its further expansion. In 2015, international sales may account for 50% of Rosatom’s total revenue,” said Mr. Komarov.
Along with its traditional business, he continued, Rosatom concentrates on new areas, such as nuclear medicine, nuclear technologies in agriculture, and sterilization of medical devices. “By 2020, these businesses will generate at least USD 3 billion annually,” said he.
In 2014, consolidated revenue of Russia’s civil nuclear industry exceeded USD 16 billion, with over USD 5 billion coming from Rosatom’s overseas projects. “Over the last few years we were working to acquire new customers, and we have never failed to perform all our obligations in full. We have invested much effort in developing our engineering capacity. Today Rosatom Group companies and their Russian partners can annually produce equipment that will be sufficient for 7 nuclear power units. If needed, this capacity can be increased,” explained Mr. Komarov.
Mr. Komarov also noted that Rosatom was able to finance all of its projects independently. “Finance available for nuclear construction is a key driver of success. We have flexible sources of financing – from government loans to export agencies. We also act as investors in certain projects as in Turkey or Finland. With our flexible approach, solutions we offer are tailored to each customer. Rosatom is efficient in both raising funds and securing return on investments. As a global nuclear industry leader and an end-to-end service provider, Rosatom is able to respond to the key challenge of the present-day nuclear industry, the challenge of guaranteeing the final costs of kilowatt hour,” stressed Mr. Komarov.
In reply to the question about the influence of sanctions against Russia on Rosatom, Mr. Komarov answered that sanctions did not affect Rosatom directly. “No Rosatom company, project or employee has been sanctioned. We have neither suspended our projects nor failed to meet our obligations, with most of them being long-term. Everyone knows that nuclear industry is a sensitive area of international cooperation and is therefore the last to be sanctioned,” concluded Kirill Komarov.
