Russia prepares fast neutron reactor, international enrichment framework proposals for G8

Moscow, February 2. Russia may present in St. Petersburg its proposals on fast neutron reactors and international uranium enrichment centers, a senior Russian nuclear official said Thursday.

“Rosatom [Federal Agency for Nuclear Power] is developing special nuclear power and nuclear/radiation security programs. During the summit, we are going to put on the table what we will have prepared, focusing on key issues like an international nuclear fuel cycle and fast neutron reactors,” Sergei Antipov, deputy head of Russia’s nuclear watchdog, told a Moscow news conference.

He said Russia had sites that could service the nuclear fuel cycle internationally. He did not name the sites, saying decision-making was still in process.

In his Tuesday marathon news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin had said not only Russia but also other nuclear powers could host international nuclear enrichment centers if non-discriminate access for all interested parties was ensured.

The nuclear official also promised to advance Russia’s nuclear waste disposal technology.

“We will be there,” he said.