Eve Conant reports that for any country that may be considering acquiring its first nuclear reactor, Russian annual ATOMEXPO offers a seemingly simple solution. At a recent event, thousands of people from around the world flocked to a giant, czarist-era exhibition hall. A visitor could hear vendors such as Rolls-Royce talk about steam generators, watch reporters interview experts for a Russian nuclear-themed television program or pick up a Miss Atom calendar featuring the year's prettiest Russian nuclear workers.
The real action, though, was at a multilevel booth for Rosatom, Russia's state-owned nuclear company, which exuded a Steve Jobs vibe of pure whiteness and know-how. That was where newcomers, as the Russians fondly call them, from nations that do not have nuclear power plants heard about options and signed cooperation agreements for Rosatom to build or even operate reactors for them. At one point, photographers snapped shots of Nigerian nuclear officials as they clinked champagne flutes with Rosatom chief Sergey Kirienko, celebrating their baby steps toward joining the Russian growing roster of clients, including Turkey and Vietnam. Rosatom has already finished reactors in China and India. In July, Finland chose the company over French and Japanese competitors for its next reactor.
As Commentator, jimfromcanada, suggests the West has no control over the nuclear reactor market. The important thing is to evaluate the safety of the Russian reactors now on the market, and compare this with the western technology available. If the world concludes the Russian reactors are not safe, then the world needs to market something safer.. ...Perhaps an international organization could be charged with building, securing and operating nuclear power stations in countries that do not currently have nuclear technology. It might allow everyone to sleep a little easier.
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