DUBAI: Kirill Komarov, First Deputy CEO for Corporate Development and International Business at Rosatom, highlighted the crucial role of nuclear power solutions in tackling climate change.
In a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the sidelines of COP28, Komarov emphasised Rosatom’s diverse, sustainable energy solutions, including small modular reactors (SMRs) designed to help regions with less developed electricity grids cut emissions quickly, cost-effectively, and reliably.
Komarov highlighted the importance of SMRs in decarbonising remote communities, islands, and industrial and mining sites that are difficult to connect to the grid. He noted that these areas often rely on diesel generators, which are even more carbon-intensive and polluting than coal.
‘Today, most of them are powered mainly by diesel generators, which are even more carbon-intensive and polluting than coal. It may sound small and niche but across the world, it all adds up into a very big problem for the world: about 1.5-2 giga
tonne of CO2 emissions,’ Komarov said.
He noted the growing importance of flexibility in energy markets, which SMR technology provides. This allows for deploying nuclear power in locations where conventional nuclear power plants – typically exceeding 1GW capacity – are too large to be viable.
‘In the context of energy transition flexibility is something which is getting more and more traction in the energy markets. It is exactly what the small modular reactors technologies are about. It enables us to bring nuclear to places where conventional nuclear power plants are too big to fit in,’ Komarov stated.
Komarov believes that with serial production, streamlined operational processes, and a 60-year life cycle, the cost of SMRs becomes competitive with traditional sources. He sees them as a reliable option for the future clean energy mix and a solution for replacing carbon-intensive generation fleets to achieve carbon neutrality.
‘By 2030, we are going to have at least 5 RITM-200 power units up and running, o
ne land-based in Yakutia and four as part of a floating power station in the Arctic,’ he stated.
Komarov highlighted Rosatom’s unique position in the SMR market, offering a range of products, including the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, Akademik Lomonosov. Additionally, they boast the first series-produced innovative 55MW RITM-200 reactors, used on nuclear icebreakers and for on-shore and offshore energy applications.
‘Rosatom is the only vendor in the world which comes up with a range of small modular reactors products with not just one reactor but also smaller-scale applications,’ Komarov added.
Komarov concluded by reiterating Rosatom’s commitment to nuclear energy as a necessity for a sustainable and prosperous energy future. While the company is also developing renewable energy sources, wind power, and energy storage, it believes that nuclear energy will continue to play a central role in the green energy mix.
‘We are convinced that nuclear energy is a necessity for a sustainable and pro
sperous energy future for mankind. While Rosatom is developing renewable energy sources, wind power, and energy storage, we believe that nuclear energy will continue to play a central role in the green energy mix,’ Komarov commented.
Source: Emirates News Agency