Global Interest in Russian Fast Neutron MBIR Reactor Exceeds Expectations

The interest of foreign experts in Russia’s fast neutron research reactor MBIR project has exceeded expectations, Vyacheslav Pershukov, Rosatom’s deputy director general, said, adding that a number of countries may join a planned research center set to focus on the project before the end of the year.

VIENNA (Sputnik) – According to Pershukov, Rosatom is open to mutually beneficial cooperation on the world's most powerful multifunctional fast neutron research reactor with all interested parties, that is why the corporation decided to open the International Research Center at the site of the MBIR.

"The international seminar in Dimitrovgrad held in June this year showed that the interest in MBIR is even wider than we thought. The project’s multifunctional design makes the reactor attractive to users of different levels — commercial researchers, research institutions and countries starting the path to creation of nuclear areas of the national science," Pershukov told RIA Novosti.

The composition of a consortium set to become the core of the research center is currently being formed, according to the Rosatom official. An agreement with the partners on the key issues of participation and the start of the formation of the research center as a legal entity is expected in 2017, he said.

"To date, we have signed two memorandums on cooperation and we plan to sign a few more until the end of the year. Thus, key participants will form a circle, which will be able to more actively influence the development of the project and the conditions of their participation in it," Pershukov said.

Earlier this week, he told reporters that the relevant documents were signed with South Africa and South Korea.

Russia began construction of the MBIR in the city of Dimitrovgrad, Ulyanovsk Region, in 2015.