RIYADH — The Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom held a series of lectures at King Saud University here on Russian nuclear industry innovations and the social and economic benefits of nuclear power development.

Alexander Nakhabov, acting dean of Physics and Power Engineering Faculty at National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, delivered presentations on ‘VVER-1200: evolution and safety features’ and ‘Nuclear power as the basis of a country’s sustainable development’. He noted the strictest safety standards and innovations of the VVER-1200 reactor technology that Rosatom is offering to its international customers and which is featured in such projects as Egypt’s first nuclear power plant at El Dabaa and Turke’s first NPP, Akkuyu.

“The VVER-1200 is an evolutionary technology that employs the most advanced safety systems complying with all post-Fukushima regulations and capable of securing the NPP’s safety even in the most extreme conditions. With VVER-1200, Rosatom is offering internationally not simply an innovative Generation 3+technology but a technology that is already operational in Russia, where the world’s first Generation 3+ power unit was entered into commercial operation and where the world’s second VVER-1200 Generation 3+ unit attained criticality in December 2017, “ he said.

Speaking of the social and economic aspects of NPP construction, Nakhabov commented, “NPP construction invariably has an enormous positive impact on the country’s entire economy, providing it with stable and affordable electric power while driving growth not only in related industries such as construction but also in other areas including tourism and consumer goods.

Nuclear power is a green, environmentally clean and safe energy source. NPPs produce no emissions that could do damage to the environment. Over the past 45 years, all of the world’s NPPs have prevented the emission of 45 gigatons of CO2.” — SG