Russia wants in on Mexico's nuclear program

Russia, through its State Atomic Energy Corporation ROSATOM , has said to be willing to take part in the launch of the nuclear development program in Mexico, which is said to require an investment of MXN$328, 605 million for the construction of three new nuclear power plants: two in Veracruz and one in Tamaulipas.

Ivan Dybov, president of the state-owned branch of the corporation in Latin America, said during an interview with EL UNIVERSAL that “they're fully open to the construction of nuclear plants in Mexico ,” a plan which is scheduled for 2024 in Veracruz, as part of the Program for the Development of the National Electricity System 2017-2031.

Dybov added they are aware Mexico has plans to pick up the nuclear program offering “not only the technology we have in countries in Europe, the Middle East, the north of Africa, in Asia-Pacific, Brazil, and Russia with 44 third generation power plants, but also with the permit processes and, fuel supply (uranium), station maintenance, and extension of the operation and decommissioning at the end of its useful life.”

Mexico, according to the Program for the Development of the National Electricity System 2017-2031 – prepared by the Ministry of Energy – is expecting to resume the nuclear electric power program and increase the involvement of nuclear power plants in the total power generation by 8.8% in the next 15 years.

Moreover, “ROSATOM is interested in cooperating with Mexico in other areas, such as nuclear medicine and isotope supplies. We're also aware the Mexican side is interested in the construction of irradiation plants for food processing,” detailed Dybov.

He further assured that CFE (Mexico's Federal Electricity Commission) is currently doing preliminary research in Laguna Verde and ROSATOM is interested in collaborating with the research and offer their experience to Mexico.

He even detailed that when dealing with “beginner countries” – who don't have nuclear specialists – they train local staff at the same time they're building the project so the locals can work at the plants after they're operational.

“We take education and training seriously,” said Dybov, “In Russia, over 20 universities offer courses on nuclear energy.”

ROSATOM is the only corporation with the most powerful nuclear icebreaker fleet and the only ones with a floating nuclear power station in the world.

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