The working group on the draft federal budget for 2006 will look into the finalization of construction plans for the Kursk plant's fifth unit and the Beloyarsk plant, as well as building floating plants.
State Duma Dpeaker Boris Gryzlov and head of the Duma Energy, Transport and Communications Committee Valery Yazev discussed the Russian nuclear power industry's urgent problems and proposals for the 2006 draft budget.
The construction of the fifth unit of the Kursk plant's third stage began in 1986. Its completion is essential to the power supply of Russia's central regions.
The construction of the BN-800 unit at the Beloyarsk plant in Western Siberia is linked to the development of innovation technology of creating reactors on fast neutrons with a fundamentally new fuel cycle. The technology makes it possible to considerably reduce the amount of radioactive waste, lift resource limitations and increase the plant security. Fast-neutron reactors with closed fuel cycles are in line with nuclear nonproliferation and security standard requirements.
Construction began in the mid-1980s, but without state funding, it will either be extended for an unspecified amount of time or terminated.
Another priority direction is industry development on the basis of mobile power units, a possibility based on Russia's considerable experience of making ship-based nuclear stations.
Small- and medium-capacity reactors should take higher priority in Russia's power industry, expanding its "nuclear segment," the State Duma leadership said.
