Dependence on China: moscow Is Losing Its Technological Capabilities in Nuclear Engineering

moscow is increasingly relying on Beijing to support russia’s nuclear energy sector. For the first time “rosatom” has purchased critical equipment for nuclear power plants abroad – two turbine generator units from the Chinese state-owned corporation “Dongfang Turbine”. The equipment is intended for the Leningrad NPP. This not only highlights the technological decline of russian engineering, but also paves the way for deep dependence on China.

The russian corporation has already approached Chinese manufacturers with a request to transfer the technology for low-speed steam turbines needed for nuclear power plant reactors. Deliveries are planned to be completed by 2030, which means a long wait for critically important components. At the same time, the cost of russian turbines is by one-third higher than of  their Chinese counterparts, while  russia’s own production capacities are unable to meet the construction schedules for new power units at the Leningrad, Kursk, and Smolensk nuclear power plants.

In fact, russia’s  nuclear industry has lost its ability to independently provide for key projects. The purchase of equipment and transfer of technology in a strategically sensitive area means not only a failure in development, but also long-term technological dependence on Beijing, which will cover supply, service, and modernization.