Putin says only Russia currently builds small nuclear power plants

No one in the world except Russia is currently building small nuclear power plants, Russian President Vladimir Putin said during a plenary session of Russian Energy Week.

“No one in the world, except us, is currently building small nuclear power plants. Yes, there are plans, but in practice, nothing is happening anywhere else yet. Only we are doing this,” the president said, TASS reports.

Russia has been at the forefront of developing SMRs, which are compact nuclear reactors designed to provide power to remote or off-grid locations. These reactors are seen as a solution to energy supply challenges in areas with limited infrastructure.

One notable project is the construction of a land-based SMR in Yakutia (Sakha Republic), located in Russia's Arctic north. The reactor, based on the RITM-200N design, is adapted from technology used in Russia's nuclear-powered icebreakers. The project aims for commissioning in 2028.

Additionally, Russia is expanding its SMR technology internationally. In May 2024, Russia and Uzbekistan signed an agreement to build a six-unit SMR nuclear power plant in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan. This project marks Russia's first export of SMR technology and reflects its growing influence in the global nuclear energy sector.

By Khagan Isayev