In His Science Day Address, Putin Underlines Key Role for Nuclear Development

Feb. 8—Russian President Vladimir Putin Feb. 6 greeted the participants in a ceremonial joint meeting dedicated to Russian Science Day, and the 80th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry. Putin underlined the crucial role of nuclear power in Russia’s development as a major strategic power. “The creation of the atomic industry in 1945 was a major milestone and a true symbol of scientific progress for our country. … Efforts to fulfill the atomic project largely defined development patterns for the national economy, as well as for the energy and healthcare sectors, defense manufacturing, and helped achieve strategic parity.”

He said “It is essential that we make full use of the unique potential and the truly boundless innovation opportunities the nuclear industry offers us today for upgrading the national economy, ensuring the country’s defence capabilities and energy security, and training advanced, qualified personnel. We must step up fundamental and applied scientific research and pay special attention to developing new solutions such as small modular reactors and fast-neutron reactors, which are expected to dominate the nuclear energy sector of the future.”

On Jan. 25, Rosatom General-Director Alexei Likhachev had given more details on Russia’s development of nuclear energy. Likhachev had addressed his remarks at a forum, “Knowledge and Government,” to government officials, heads of enterprises, outstanding scientists and representatives of culture and art. Speaking before portraits of Albert Einstein and Vladimir Vernadsky, he went through the history of the Russian nuclear program from its early work in the 1930s and 40s.

The atomic project became an alliance of the best representatives of the scientific intelligentsia and the military, including NKVD generals—those who had extensive organizational and managerial experience, he explained. “The unification of these two principles—the liberal-scientific intelligentsia and tough military and officer cadre—gave us a unique cultural code, in which the defense of the Motherland and practical military discipline are combined with scientific knowledge and deep faith in science and human capabilities.”

He said that, in the next few decades, Russia will build 38 large, medium and small power units to increase the percentage of nuclear energy to up to 25% of Russia’s energy needs. He pointed to the small modular plants which will be built in Yakutia and several floating nuclear units which will be built for Chukotka. Russia will also be working on a two-component nuclear project, in which thermal reactors and breeder reactors will operate simultaneously, creating a closed nuclear fuel cycle. This will allow nuclear fuel to be repeatedly returned to circulation and most radioactive waste to be processed. He also indicated that they would also be working on thermonuclear research, “as a reserve for the future.”