{"id":41941,"date":"2022-11-04T13:45:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T12:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/?p=41941"},"modified":"2023-03-30T17:12:06","modified_gmt":"2023-03-30T15:12:06","slug":"kyrgyzstan-wants-to-build-miniature-nuclear-power-plants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novastan.org\/en\/kyrgyzstan\/kyrgyzstan-wants-to-build-miniature-nuclear-power-plants\/","title":{"rendered":"Kyrgyzstan wants to build miniature nuclear power plants"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A cooperation protocol has been signed between Rosatom and Kyrgyzstan\u2019s Ministry of Energy to build miniature nuclear reactors. However, such a project cannot quickly resolve the country\u2019s energy crisis. <\/strong>This article was originally published on Novastan\u2019s <\/strong>French website<\/strong><\/a> on 29 January 2022.<\/strong>\n\nFirst Uzbekistan<\/a>, then Kazakhstan<\/a> \u2013 now it is Kyrgyzstan\u2019s turn to want to develop nuclear energy. On 20 January, a cooperation protocol was signed between Kyrgyz authorities and the Russian company Rosatom, as described by a press release<\/a> from the company. The project aims to build at least one miniature nuclear plant in the country, without giving a specific date.\n\nRosatom wants to introduce miniature reactors of the RITM-200N<\/a> type to Kyrgyzstan. This type of reactor currently propels Russian icebreakers<\/a> and has been used since 2016.  However, the Russian-based technology has not yet been adapted for use on land. Rosatom expects to build the first unit of its kind by 2028, according to Russian media Sputnik<\/a>. This type of reactor is built by OKBM Afrikantov<\/a>, a subsidiary of Rosatom.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A long project<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\nIn addition to this development, the memorandum \u201calso involves assistance in developing the nuclear infrastructure of the Kyrgyz Republic and joint work aimed at improving the skills of scientific and technical personnel in various fields of peaceful nuclear energy use,\u201d<\/em> the same press release<\/a> describes.\n\nRead more on Novastan: <\/strong>Central Asia and Russia: an ever-changing relationship<\/a>\n\nHowever, the implementation of such a project may take a long time in Kyrgyzstan, unlike in Uzbekistan where a nuclear power plant project has already been launched. As relayed by the Russian news agency TASS<\/a>, the press service of the Kyrgyz ministry affirmed that the project will only be accepted \u201cafter agreeing on an appraisal for environmental security, after the approval of a feasibility study, and after being accepted by all the governing organs of the Kyrgyz Republic.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A delicate energy situation<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\nIf this project succeeds, Kyrgyzstan, a producer of uranium, will be able to use its own resources directly on site. The Kyrgyz desire to develop other energy sources comes at a time when the country is experiencing energy instability. According to Kyrgyz media Akchabar<\/a>, Kyrgyzstan is nearly 90% dependent on hydroelectricity.  This makes the country vulnerable to global warming, which affects its water resources and therefore electricity.\n\nRead more on Novastan: <\/strong>A significant power shortage is expected for Kyrgyzstan in 2022<\/a>\n\nDuring the winter of 2021, the authorities feared an energy crisis, which has admittedly yet to arrive. The levels of the reservoir of the Toktogul dam<\/a> could, however, be even lower in 2022, describes Radio Azattyk<\/a>, the Kyrgyz branch of the American media Radio Free Europe. This dam alone is responsible for 30-50% of electricity production in Kyrgyzstan, according to Radio Azattyk<\/a> and Kyrgyz media Kloop<\/a>, respectively.\n\nEvery year, Kyrgyzstan needs 15 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). However, as the Kyrgyz Economic Minister Akylbek Japarov<\/a> described it on 11 October, Kyrgyzstan has a structural electricity production deficit of 6 billion kWh each year, according to Radio Azattyk<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training necessary for nuclear energy pivot<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

\nSome experts believe that the contribution of nuclear power \u2013 even a small amount \u2013 could make it possible to decrease part of this deficit. An analyst of the Russian investment bank VTB Capital, Vladimir Sklyar, estimates that up to 10% of Kyrgyz consumption could be fulfilled by nuclear power, as discussed in Russian media Kommersant<\/a>. Observers say this will close a third of coal-fired power plants.\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

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