Success in Selling Nuclear Energy Increases Russia’s Political Influence

Russia’s success in the promotion of its nuclear energy technologies helps to expand Moscow’s role in strategically important regions of the world, which is a great geopolitical benefit for the Kremlin, Ian Armstrong, an expert in nuclear-powered energy, wrote for Global Risk Insights.

The increase of Russian-made nuclear power plants in strategically-important countries leads to their decreased dependency from the United States and its Western allies, the author said.

"To be clear, the influence gained by Russia through each bilateral nuclear agreement should not be understated. For one, the construction timeline for nuclear power plants is typically long-term, ensuring that Russia will have a presence in any country it signs a nuclear contract with for a minimum of several years," Armstrong said.

Currently, Russia is in a good position expanding its nuclear power diplomacy. According to the author, Russian-built nuclear power plants would become similar to embassies that would increase political cooperation between Russia and countries in which nuclear plants would be installed.

Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) is currently the only vendor in the world that can offer nuclear plants and other products to its customers.

Since its establishment in 2007, Rosatom has slowly, but steadily has taken over the nuclear energy market. As of now, Rosatom has already established nuclear agreements with important global players, such as Argentina, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, South Africa, Turkey, as well as ordered the construction of new nuclear power plants in China, India and Belarus.

Overall, in 2014 there were 29 Russian nuclear reactors planned for construction across the globe and another 50 would be built within a few years, according to Rosatom's prediction.

Russian nuclear power plant exports

© Photo : globalriskinsights.com

Moreover, nuclear power plants will benefit Russia economically. Rosatom nuclear power deals are expected to bring around $740 billion over the next decade, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Keeping in mind that Rosatom doesn't have any comparable international competitor, the company's place in the nuclear market won't be challenged any time soon and Moscow would get to cash in billions using its nuclear expertise, Armstrong concluded.

Finally, the construction of Russian nuclear power plants would bring jobs to the economies of countries who haved signed nuclear contracts with Rosatom. This in turn would also increase ties between Russia and local communities involved in nuclear energy deals.