The 9th Regional forum “Nuclear power in the Arctic Region: environmental protection and security” organized by the Rosatom Social council, the Russian Ecology Congress, and the Russian Green Cross took place in Murmansk on May 12-13.

“Nuclear energy is extremely important for the Russian Arctic Region, as it caters for NPPs, the atomic ice-breaking fleet, and the nuclear and radiation safety program”, said Sergey Baranovskiy, the president of the Russian Green Cross and the deputy head of the Rosatom Social council. “We are happy to see that the Rosatom’s initiative on holding the forum has been greatly supported by the Murmansk region government, supervisory bodies, and non-governmental organizations. It has given us an opportunity to discuss multiple aspects of the Corporation’s operations in the Arctic region during the plenary meetings”.

The agenda covered the topics of atomic power industry development for the Arctic region reclamation in the national interests. Another issue discussed was the aspects of the Kolsk NPP power blocks modernization to make them more secure, increase their capacity, and extend their lifetime. The Hungarian Paksh NPP Adviser to the CEO Pal Kovach has noted that the Russian nuclear technologies are an outstanding accomplishment that has deserted interest and markets all over the world.

“The Russian reactor facilities operating at the Paksh NPP has proven to be safe and economically effective. Their design and construction are impeccable. The nuclear power is a sustainable and environmentally friendly electric power source, which means many generations to come can use it”.

Vladimir Masloboev, the Director of the Institute for industrial ecology issues in the northern region, has elaborated on the environmental status of the ground and water ecosystems in the vicinity of the Kolsk NPP. In particular, he told that, when operated in a standard mode, the nuclear station does not pose any danger to the population and the environment of the region.

“The Kolsk NPP’s share in the industrial emissions to the Murmansk regional water system are just thousandths of a percent compared to other plants. The NPP’s treatment facilities operate effectively”, said V. Masloboev.

During the meeting, multiple efficient forms of cooperation between the atomic industry and the public, along with the cultural aspects of the Arctic region and the northern territories reclamation, have been discussed, too. The participants have paid special attention to small and medium-sized business development as a part of the collaboration with Rosatom.

Over 200 representatives of the federal and regional authorities, local government, atomic industry enterprises’ directors, scientists, regional and federal experts, representatives of environment protection and non-governmental organization, as well as the media and the bloggers, have taken part in the forum.

The Kolsk NPP is an affiliate of Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC and is based 200 km to the south from the city of Murmansk, at the Imandra lakeside. The plant produces around 60% of the Murmansk Region electric power. It has 4 operational power blocks with VVER-type reactors, each of them having capacity of 440 megawatt. The Kolsk NPP supplies electric power to the Murmansk Region and Karelia.

The up-to-date information on the nuclear environment close to the Russian NOOs and other nuclear objects is available at www.russianatom.ru


Kolsk NPP Information and Public Relations Administration.