On February 6, in Yangon (Republic of the Union of Myanmar), ROSATOM Director General Alexey Likhachev and the Union Minister for Science and Technology Dr. Myo Thein Kyaw signed the Intergovernmental Agreement on cooperation in the field of the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of the Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
The signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement is an essential milestone in developing cooperation between Russia and Myanmar in use of nuclear technologies. In frames of the agreement, the parties will work together on implementation of the Small nuclear power plants (SNPP).
“This agreement is the cooperation not only for the Small Nuclear Power Plant but also the applications of nuclear technology in multi sectors and it will enhance socio-economic development of the country. ” – said the Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister of Myanmar, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing.
“Today begins a new chapter in the history of Russian-Myanmar relations, the 75th anniversary of which we are celebrating this year. The creation of a new industry in the country will undoubtedly benefit the energy sector, industry and the economy of Myanmar. Nuclear energy offers a steady reliable supply of clean energy at a stable price. The introduction of nuclear technologies implies a powerful impetus for the development of natural sciences, education and training of highly qualified personnel. We appreciate the fact that Myanmar has given preference to Russian nuclear technology” – said Alexey Likhachev.
The parties emphasized that the signing of the Intergovernmental Agreement was a logical step continuing strong relationships between Russia and Myanmar, building a solid foundation for developing further cooperation.
The signing ceremony took place at the Nuclear Technology Information Center in Yangon, a joint project of ROSATOM and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Myanmar. The Nuclear Technology Information Centre will give people access to knowledge about the principles of the nuclear industry, the operation of nuclear power plants, non-nuclear sectors using nuclear technologies, and of many other things. The centre is to stimulate interest in scientific education and enhance the process of personnel training necessary for developing nuclear industry in Myanmar. It will be the 25th centre opened by Rosatom and the 6th abroad.
After the official signing ceremony Alexey Likhachev also gave a lecture to students of Myanmar technical universities on nuclear technologies and answered all their questions in the format of a discussion.
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ROSATOM has technologies for the construction of low-power stations, both floating and land based. ROSATOM is already implementing a project for the construction of a small nuclear power plant in Yakutia based on Rosatom’s technology of RITM-200 marine propulsion reactors, which had been developed with consideration of the long-time experience of small-scale reactors operations on the vessels of the Russian nuclear ice-breakers fleet. Small nuclear power plants are considered as optimal solution for a sustainable and reliable power supply to consumers in remote areas away from central grids. It is characterized by its compactness and modularity, short construction period and high safety standards.
The world’s only floating nuclear power unit (FPU) ‘Academik Lomonosov’ is currently operated in Chukotka (Russia).
