RIYADH — ROSATOM State Atomic Energy Corporation organized a workshop on Russian nuclear technologies in Riyadh on Dec. 5 for representatives of Saudi companies. The event was held at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce.
In his welcome speech, Alexander Voronkov, CEO of ROSATOM Regional Center in Middle East and North Africa, stressed that during the competitive dialogue ROSATOM offered the most advanced and serial project of Russian designed VVER-1200 reactor of Generation 3+.
The reactor type fully complies with modern international safety and security standards and already implemented in Russia.
“ROSATOM has a vast experience of projects implementation in nuclear newcomer countries where NPP construction project refers to forming of nuclear infrastructure from scratch. Therefore, we are certain in fulfilling the assistance of any kind and at stage of nuclear project: engineering, construction and operation of nuclear power plant, nuclear fuel supply, service and modernization of power units, personnel training and public acceptance of the project. Scope of our possibilities is limitless,” Voronkov pointed out.
In the framework of the workshop, representatives of Rusatom Overseas (part of ROSATOM State Corporation) shared with the audience detailed information about evolutionary VVER technology which is currently being used for implementation of 36 power units construction projects in 12 countries around the globe. Most part of the workshop was dedicated to presentation of the Russian offer for Saudi Arabia in NPP construction project of large capacity and localization opportunities for local suppliers within nuclear project implementation.
Milos Mostecky, vice president of Rusatom Overseas, highlighted the vast experience of ROSATOM in engaging local suppliers while projects implementation abroad.
“We are confident that Saudi companies are ready to take part in large-scale projects in power sector. Our Saudi partners are willing to participate in NPP construction in Saudi Arabia and think highly to perspective of cooperation with Rosatom," Mostecky added.
In June 2018, ROSATOM was shortlisted to the next stage of competitive dialogue on Saudi Arabia’s first nuclear power project.
Russia and Saudi Arabia signed an Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. On Oct. 5, 2017, ROSATOM and King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy signed Program for Cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy. According to the program, Russia and Saudi Arabia intended to cooperate in the field of small and medium reactors, nuclear infrastructure development, consideration of prospects for establishing a center for nuclear science and technology in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on a Russian-design research reactor etc.
In May 2018, within the framework of the X International Forum “ATOMEXPO 2018”, Rosatom MENA, the regional center of ROSATOM in the Middle East and North Africa, and the Saudi-based Sumou Holding Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at furthering cooperation between the two parties across several key spheres, such as wind power generation, security systems, isotopes production. — SG
