Russia using nuclear diplomacy to build network of dependents

Russia has become the leading exporter of nuclear technology across the globe. (ABC News: Cordelia Brown) Russia has become a leader of nuclear power exports thanks to state subsidies, weak competition and a vertically-integrated business. Nations that build Russian reactors can become dependent on their fuel and services for generations. Russia is signing new deals across Asia, as the United States tries to reinvigorate its ailing industry. Link copiedShareShare articleOn the banks of the Padma River, a multi-generational mega-project is almost complete. Since the 1960s, the country now known as Bangladesh has tried to construct a grand nuclear power scheme in the sleepy village of Rooppur. And after billions of dollars, thousands of tonnes of concrete, false starts and political scandals, that dream is becoming a reality. "As children, we watched that empty site with curiosity, having little grasp of what 'nuclear' truly meant," retired teacher Amirul Islam told local newspaper, The Daily Star. "As we transitioned from childhood to middle age, we watched the geography of our homes shift, waiting for the promise to manifest." Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant while under construction in 2023. (Reuters: Mohammad Ponir Hossain) Operators have finally started loading fuel into the 2,400-megawatt, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and plan to hit peak power production by 2027. And while Bangladesh turned to several foreign nations over the years to realise its nuclear ambitions, it couldn't have done it without the country that dominates the nuclear power trade: Russia. "For Rosatom, this project is another important step in developing peaceful nuclear power, strengthening friendly relations with our foreign partners," said Alexey Likhachev, the director of Russian nuclear developer Rosatom. Vladimir Putin meets with Alexey Likhachev in Moscow in 2023. (Sputnik: Alexander Kazakov) From the ashes of the Cold War and infamy of the Chernobyl disaster, Russia has emerged as the world's leading exporter of nuclear reactors. It's building reactors in China, India, Egypt, Bangladesh, Türkiye, Hungary, India and Kazakhstan, alongside dozens of strategic agreements signed from Morocco to Manila. State-owned conglomerate Rosatom has dominated the market thanks to heavy government backing, weak competition and control of its entire supply chain. Today, Rosatom and its subsidiaries can handle almost all facets of nuclear energy, from uranium mining and enrichment to reactor design and operation, to decommissioning and nuclear waste disposal. Russia is building new reactors across the world, some in countries that do not have an existing nuclear program. (ABC News: Cordelia Brown) This ability to be a "one-stop shop" has made it very competitive, according to Marco Siddi of the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. "Russia has a build, own and operate model," he said. "In some cases, you actually have Rosatom personnel operating the plants. "It's not easy for a country that doesn't have a nuclear sector to train personnel to become independent. So, it's easier to just import everything." For countries grappling with power shortages, wanting to decarbonise or needing economic development, Russian projects can be a godsend. But Professor Siddi says these deals "create dependencies that last for decades". State-owned nuclear agency Rosatom is building reactors across the world, alongside its strong portfolio in Russia. (Reuters: Ramil Siotdikov) Long construction timelines, fuel supply contracts and technical requirements link countries to Russia for generations. It was a major concern in countries like Ukraine, where several Soviet-era reactors required Russian fuel to function. These operational dependencies are compounded by Russia's willingness to bankroll projects with huge, low-interest loans. Russian loans covered about 90 per cent of the $US13 billion ($18 billion) needed to build Bangladesh's nuclear plant, while Türkiye just received an additional $US9 billion to finish off its new reactors. The Kola Nuclear Power Plant in north-western Russia. (Supplied: Rosatom) These "very, very generous" financing packages are one reason why Russia has become "the most successful exporter of nuclear technology worldwide", according to Australian National University honorary associate professor Tony Irwin. "The United States doesn't provide the same sort of export finance package, nor France or South Korea," he said. For Russians, the investment may be worth it. "It's a political initiative, it makes money for them, it helps with prestige," Mr Irwin said. "And it establishes them as a major manufacturer and supplier of advanced equipment." Narendra Modi and Alexei Likhachev together in Moscow. (Sputnik: Sergei Fadeichev) For countries that embrace Russian technology, there's often more to gain than just electricity. A 2018 deal to build four nuclear plants in China was signed amid talks

Russia using nuclear diplomacy to build network of dependents

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