Russia allocates $7 billion to reactor operations over three years

The Russian energy ministry has approved Rosenergoatom's 2016-2018 investment program, allocating almost RUB570 billion ($7 billion) to the civil nuclear power plant operator. The program was approved by a government order dated 14 January and published on the ministry's website yesterday.

Of this total, nearly RUB184 billion is earmarked for 2016, which is higher than the previously planned figure of RUB150 billion, according to Nuclear.Ru. It comprises about RUB98 billion from Rosenergoatom's own funds and government funding of nearly RUB27 billion, with the remainder from loans and other forms of financing.

In 2017 investment will total RUB202 billion, including nearly RUB90 billion from Rosenergoatom's own funds and RUB11 billion in government funding. In 2018 the respective figures are RUB184 billion, RUB157 billion and RUB9 billion.

Rosenenergoatom previously reported that it had spent RUB146 billion in 2015, much less than the initially allocated level of RUB190 billion.

The total cost of constructing the BN-800 fast neutron reactor has been calculated as nearly RUB146 billion, according to notes attached to the government order. This reactor - unit 4 of the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant in the Sverdlovsk district of Russia - was connected to the national grid on 10 December last year. About RUB10 billion was spent on the reactor last year and a further RUB587 million have been allocated for 2016. Commercial operation of Beloyarsk 4 is expected before the end of this year.

Rosenergoatom is a subsidiary of Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom. It is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the country's 10 nuclear power plants.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News