Russia Plans to Update Regulatory Framework for Advanced Nuclear Technologies

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, stated at a presidential meeting that the pace of nuclear technology development is outpacing the adaptability of the existing technical regulatory system, making it necessary to update relevant federal laws and regulations.

Likhachev believes that regulatory adjustments should align with the development of advanced nuclear technologies, but without compromising regulatory independence or introducing additional safety risks. He proposed drawing on internationally accepted practices by conducting regulatory assessments at an early stage of projects, meaning regulators would engage in communication with developers before formal license applications are submitted, so as to resolve potential disputes before project construction begins.

Likhachev stated that global best practices should be adopted while ensuring that the rigor of regulatory requirements and safety baselines are not lowered.

Previously, Likhachev mentioned that regulators tend to be cautious when faced with new technologies such as small nuclear power plants, but overly conservative tendencies should be moderately reduced. Rosatom is currently advancing multiple low-power reactor projects, with the RITM-200 reactor being the most progressed. This reactor has an electrical output of 55 MW and can be used for land-based nuclear power plants or in a floating configuration. Meanwhile, Rosatom also plans to expand its product line to enter the ultra-low-power nuclear energy application sector.