MAKING RUSSIA'S NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS SAFER
MOSCOW, June 25, (RIA Novosti) - Russian nuclear power plants (NPP-s) are now safer than they had been during the first few years of their operation, Andrei Malyshev, director of this country's federal nuclear-safety service, said here today.
It's an established fact that those specific NPP-s, which are having their licenses extended by us, are now safer than prior to modernization, Malyshev noted.
Their safety has been enhanced 20-fold, Malyshev added; in his words, this really impressive parameter has been confirmed by Russian and international experts alike.
The nuclear-safety service is extending licenses for the operation of No. One power units at the Kursk and Leningrad NPP-s for another five and three years, respectively. Quite possibly, their subsequent operation will be discussed after these deadlines expire, Malyshev went on to say. (These were among the first power units in the history of Russia's nuclear power industry - Ed.)
NPP operators estimate that the service life of both NPP-s can be extended by another 10-15 years. We can extend the afore-said licenses, if these NPP-s match nuclear-safety standards 3-5 years from now, Malyshev said.
At the same time, he reminded that the first power units had been shut down at the Beloyarsk and Novovoronezh NPP-s, before expending their rated service life; this decision was motivated by the fact that they no longer conformed to new safety standards.
Talking about the future of Russia's nuclear power industry, Malyshev noted the need for a comprehensive approach. We must sustain old NPP-s, also building new ones with the help of private investment.
The nuclear power industry is a top-priority aspect of federal policies. A recent Cabinet session dealing with tariff-regulation issues noted that, apart from state mechanisms, other investment incentives were essential, Malyshev stressed.
NPP-s generate 37 percent of all European Russian electricity, Malyshev noted.
Russian nuclear materials can't surface abroad, Malyshev stressed.
I don't agree with the assertions of some US politicians to the effect that Russia can serve as a source of the nuclear-terrorism threat, Malyshev went on to say.
The US board of inquiry, which is investigating the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, noted a week ago that Al-Qaida terrorists had studied the possibility of seizing an ICBM launcher and forcing Russian scientists to fire a nuclear-tipped ICBM against the United States.
Russian nuclear facilities are reliably shielded against terrorist attacks, Malyshev assured RIA Novosti.
Our external-protection levels are no worse than those in some European countries, sometimes exceeding such levels a great deal, Malyshev said.
Surely enough, they boast pretty good equipment; meanwhile Russia has established a comprehensive system involving special forces, Malyshev added.
Comprehensive exercises are organized at an operational Russian NPP each year, Malyshev reminded RIA Novosti. According to Malyshev, the threshold of confrontation keeps increasing each year in line with different global terrorist tactics.
According to the nuclear-safety service, Russia has about 213 nuclear facilities and 454 nuclear-fuel compounds for storing different types of nuclear fuel, spent nuclear fuel included.
The nuclear-safety service employs 1,700 inspectors, who monitor all facilities round the clock, Malyshev said in conclusion. |
