In an interview with Beijing Review reporters, Artem Goncharuk, Director General of the Rosatom East Asia Company in Beijing, shared his views on the critical role of nuclear power in facilitating sustainable development, the deepening cooperation between China and Russia in the field and the future of atomic energy in a rapidly decarbonizing world. Edited excerpts of their conversation follow: 

Beijing Review: Given the continuous growth in global energy demand, what role does atomic energy play in accelerating decarbonization, increasing people's access to affordable and reliable energy and meeting other sustainability goals? 

Artem Goncharuk: Nuclear power plays a crucial role in the transition to a low-carbon future. Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear reactors do not produce direct carbon dioxide emissions during operation. Moreover, over their entire life cycle—including equipment manufacturing, plant construction and decommissioning—emissions per kilowatt hour of electricity remain minimal. This places nuclear power on par with renewable sources such as wind, solar and hydropower in terms of sustainability. As a result, nuclear energy is an essential component of any truly sustainable energy system. 

Furthermore, nuclear energy is stable, predictable and cost-efficient—factors that matter greatly to everyday citizens. These benefits are particularly pronounced in remote and sparsely populated areas, where traditional energy infrastructure struggles to meet demand.

To address this challenge, Russia has pioneered innovative solutions such as floating nuclear power plants, which are solar panels mounted on floating structures, and small modular reactors, effectively closing the energy gap in hard-to-reach regions. Unlike traditional sources that require regular fuel supplies, these nuclear facilities can operate autonomously for long periods of time, making them an ideal solution for supplying energy to remote and isolated communities. This emphasizes the key role of nuclear power in creating a sustainable and independent energy infrastructure. 

The particular importance of nuclear energy for long-term sustainability lies precisely in the synergy of two technologies: thermal neutron reactors with pressurized water used both as coolant and moderator, and fast reactors. Russia and China are actively developing complementary areas—fast reactors and the classical nuclear fuel cycle. This two-component system makes it possible to reprocess spent fuel, reduce radioactive waste and maximize resource efficiency.

Classical reactors provide basic generation, while fast reactors close the fuel cycle (by reprocessing spent fuel—Ed.), expanding the fuel base. Implementing this integrated model will create a complete closed nuclear cycle system—a key step toward a sustainable future.

Despite all the advantages you just mentioned, many are still concerned about the safety of nuclear energy. What are some of the safety measures being implemented in Russia's nuclear industry? 

Safety is always our top priority when it comes to the deployment of nuclear energy.

Take the VVER-1200 reactor as an example. (VVER-1200 is the up-to-date model of a water-cooled, water-moderated power reactor developed by Russia—Ed.) The model features a balanced combination of active and passive safety systems. The former can be manually controlled, whereas the latter are driven by natural forces such as gravity and differential pressure and therefore do not require any human intervention. This dual approach ensures that the reactor remains safe under all circumstances, even in the event of a total power shutdown.

When it comes to selecting a suitable location for a nuclear power plant, extensive assessments are conducted to identify seismic hazards and other environmental risks. The massive amount of data we collect beforehand will also allow us to customize reactor design so that the facility fits its local conditions.

By implementing nuclear power plant construction projects in Russia, we establish an effective reference for replicating our technologies abroad that could fully transform the recipient countries' energy systems to low-carbon energy and cover the energy deficit and dependence on energy imports.

One thing I would also like to emphasize is that our collaboration with other countries extends far beyond standalone nuclear projects: We don't just deliver power plants—we help build an entire nuclear infrastructure, from staff training all the way to the refinement of regulatory frameworks.

This approach ensures that we take full responsibility for the entire production process—and that sense of accountability is one of our core values.

Speaking of cooperation, how would you describe the current state of nuclear energy collaboration between China and Russia? 

There is a Chinese saying that perfectly captures the essence of how China and Russia have cooperated in the nuclear energy sector: "A river runs deep—when it has a source." Our partnership goes back to the 1950s, a time when China's atomic energy sector was still in its infancy. Since then, we have come a long way, and our cooperation in the field has expanded both in scope and depth.

As of now, there are four Russian-designed nuclear reactor units built in China, which are Tianwan Units 1 through 4. (Located on the shore of the Yellow Sea in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant is the largest economic cooperation project between Russia and China—Ed.) And construction is underway on four more: Tianwan Units 7 and 8, as well as Units 3 and 4 of the Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant in Liaoning Province.

The two countries have made important breakthroughs in jointly advancing fast neutron reactor technologies. Chinese companies have been involved for years in experimental work on Russia's BOR-60 fast reactor housed at the Research Institute of Atomic Reactors in Dimitrovgrad. Russian experts, in turn, worked with Chinese specialists to help build the China Experimental Fast Reactor in Beijing and the CFR-600 demonstration reactor in Xiapu County, Fujian Province. Together, these projects reflect the growing strength of our nuclear technology partnership and the tangible progress it continues to deliver.

During President Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow in March 2023, the two countries signed a comprehensive agreement to advance cooperation on fast neutron reactors and the closed nuclear fuel cycle. We see this as a foundation for exploring new frontiers in innovation and advancing into new areas where the strategic interests and mutual benefits of both countries converge.

What is the future of atomic energy? Can the world transition entirely to renewable sources in the next 50 years? 

There are many new reactors under construction around the world. We are entering a new phase of accelerated growth in nuclear energy, and I'm very confident that nuclear power will play a key role in the global energy mix going forward.

We are also seeing broader applications for nuclear technology. The concept of "nuclear technology" is no longer just about electricity and nuclear power stations. Instead, it has come to encompass nuclear medicine, which uses radiation to assess bodily functions and to diagnose and treat diseases, nuclear-powered icebreakers and the use of radioisotopes in common consumer products.

As public understanding and acceptance continue to grow, I believe nuclear technologies will become more widespread—not just as a clean energy solution, but as a major engine for innovation across sectors. BR

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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