Rosatom partners with Rolls-Royce in preparation for UK nuclear entry

• 10 years ago (2013-12-06)
• Junior Isles

Europe 1089 Nuclear 659

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Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) and the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change have signed a memorandum of understanding relating to the UK’s new generation of nuclear plants.

It looks increasingly likely that Russian nuclear plants may be built in the UK by Rosatom, with the Finnish company Fortum and Rolls-Royce joining with the Russian giant to assist in preparation of submitting Russian plant design concepts for UK appraisal.

The Russians have contracted Rolls-Royce because of its extensive experience working with local UK licensing authorities, and Fortum because of its experience of operating nuclear power plants in the EU.

Russian First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov has expressed Russian government support for the proposed entry into the UK nuclear power programme. Commenting on the strategic partnership between Rosatom and Rolls-Royce he said: “If such a partnership is implemented, Rosatom and Rolls-Royce will be able to obtain the right to participate in the competition to build new reactors.”

Rosatom showed interest in the UK market after RWE and E.ON’s withdrawal from the Horizon Nuclear Power project, with the state corporation named among the likely buyers of their shares.

Rosatom is currently developing projects involving construction of nine power units with VVER reactors in Russia and 19 abroad, and sees a move into the UK as attractive.

Finnish company Fennovoima recently selected Rosatom for the construction of the Hanhikivi-1 NPP in Pyhäjoki in northwestern Finland, after extensive and strict examination by the Finish supervision authority, Stuk.