The Power Of Possibilities: Rosatom's Role In The Global Clean Energy Shift - Sponsored

Al-Ahram Weekly

24-04-2025

The race toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 is no longer an option—it is an imperative for our shared global future.
With nearly 90 countries pledging to meet this goal under the Paris Agreement, the world is witnessing an unprecedented shift toward clean energy solutions. In 2023 alone, global investment in energy reached a remarkable USD 2.8 trillion, with more than USD 1.7 trillion directed toward clean energy sources—including renewables and nuclear. For the first time, investment in clean energy outpaced that in fossil fuels.
Yet, despite these efforts, the challenge remains steep. Fossil fuels still dominate the global energy mix, accounting for over 80% of energy consumption—a figure that has stubbornly resisted change over the past decade. Even as clean energy capacity grows, the world's rapidly rising energy demand—up 15% since 2013—continues to strain progress. Only 40% of this growth has been met by clean energy sources.
Against this backdrop, nuclear energy stands out not just as an option, but as a necessity—recognized officially at COP28, where global leaders committed to tripling nuclear capacity by 2050 as part of the journey toward net-zero.
Any conversation about the revival of nuclear energy would be incomplete without highlighting the leadership of Rosatom, the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation. But to describe Rosatom solely as a nuclear energy provider is to tell only part of the story. Today, Rosatom is not only at the forefront of the nuclear power industry across the full cycle—from uranium mining, NPP design and construction, to nuclear waste fuel management and NPP decommissioning—it is also a key player in fields that are shaping the technologies of tomorrow: nuclear medicine, additive manufacturing, composite materials, wind energy, and clean water solutions, just to name a few.
Rosatom's contribution to modern nuclear energy is both deep and broad. It develops Generation III+ reactors, such as the VVER-1200, known for their enhanced passive safety systems that can operate without human intervention or external power. Also, the BN-800 is one of the few commercial-scale fast neutron reactors in the world and is the first to operate using MOX fuel (mixed oxide fuel) on an industrial scale, which marks a crucial advancement toward establishing a closed nuclear fuel cycle, a strategic objective for the nuclear industry. This approach not only reduces the volume and hazard of high-level radioactive waste but also maximizes the energy extracted from natural uranium resources.
In Russia alone, Rosatom generates around 20% of the country's electricity, making it the nation's largest producer of low-carbon energy. Its commitment to environmental responsibility is embedded across the entire nuclear lifecycle—from design and construction to safe operation, spent fuel management, and eventual decommissioning.
Today, Rosatom is actively helping numerous countries build their own nuclear capabilities, providing not only technology but also the transfer of knowledge and operational expertise. With 39 power units — including six small modular reactors — at different stages of implementation across 10 countries, its portfolio features several flagship projects, including:
Akkuyu NPP in Turkey: The country's first nuclear power plant, designed to supply 10% of Turkey's electricity, showcasing long-term operational sustainability.
Belarus NPP: Successfully operating since 2021, this two-unit VVER-1200 plant provides around 40% of Belarus's electricity, supporting its low-carbon transition.
El Dabaa NPP in Egypt: Featuring four VVER-1200 reactors, El Dabaa will supply 4.8 GW of clean power—meeting about 10% of Egypt's electricity demand while supporting local capacity-building through robust technology transfer and training programs for Egyptian professionals.
The world stands at a critical crossroads between ambition and action. While global clean energy investments are breaking records, real transformation demands a broader approach—one that combines energy security, technological innovation, and sustainable development.
With its 80-year legacy of nuclear excellence and its forward-thinking ventures into medicine, materials science, and manufacturing, Rosatom exemplifies this integrated approach. Whether powering millions of homes, treating patients, or enabling industries to innovate, Rosatom is not just keeping pace with global challenges—it is helping to define the solutions.
In the journey toward a carbon-free future, Rosatom is not simply part of the story—it is helping write the next chapter.
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