Kola NPP might join Shtokman project
The Kola Nuclear Power plant in Murmansk Oblast is negotiating with Gazprom over the possible construction of new reactors meant to produce energy for the Shtokman project.
A high official in the state-owned nuclear power enterprise Rosenergoatom yesterday confirmed to journalists that negotiations with Gazprom are being held over the issue, Oilru.com reports with reference to RBC.ru. Mr. Yevgenii Sharov says the issue is on the table because of Gazprom’s reported need for another 2 GWh in the Shtokman project.
A deal between the companies would further strengthen the role of the nuclear power industry in the Barents Sea. From before, Gazprom is seriously considering the use of floating nuclear power stations for the offshore Shtokman platforms. The company has already ordered two or three of the floating power generators from engineering plant Sevmash in Severodvinsk, Arkhangelsk Oblast.
Meanwhile, environmentalists say Russia should close down the whole Kola NPP, following the local access to Shtokman gas. Both representatives of the Murmansk regional administration and Gazprom have confirmed that up to five percent of the Shtokman gas will be spent on the gasification of the region.
The five percent of the huge 3,8 trillion cubic meter Shtokman field would be more than enough to fuel major parts of Northwest Russia for years.
