Russia Retains Leadership in Nuclear Energy as Rosatom Participates in More Than 80% of Global Nuclear Power Plant Construction Projects
Speaking at the plenary session of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia continues to hold leading positions in the global nuclear energy market.
According to the president, Rosatom is involved in more than 80% of nuclear power plant construction projects currently underway worldwide. He also highlighted artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and platform technologies as strategic pillars for strengthening Russia's technological sovereignty.
Global Project Portfolio
The statement comes as Rosatom continues to expand its international project portfolio. The state corporation is participating in nuclear power plant construction projects in dozens of countries, including China, India, Türkiye, Egypt, Bangladesh, and others. In China alone, four VVER-1200 reactor units are under construction with Russian participation - two at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and two at the Xudapu Nuclear Power Plant. Commissioning of these units is scheduled for 2027-2028.
Russia's share of the global nuclear construction market substantially exceeds that of any other industry participant. That allows the country to maintain its position as a technological leader in the peaceful use of nuclear energy while supporting stable exports. Those exports include reactor technologies as well as comprehensive lifecycle services for nuclear power plants.
Technology as the Foundation of Sovereignty
In his address, the president identified artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and platform technologies as key areas of future technological development. These technologies are becoming fundamental to maintaining national sovereignty in an increasingly competitive global environment. For the nuclear sector, that means broader deployment of digital twins, predictive analytics, decision-support systems, and automated platforms for materials discovery and synthesis.
Rosatom has already introduced sector-specific industrial AI platforms, operator information support systems, and neural network tools that accelerate engineering calculations and physical process modelling. These technologies help shorten design schedules, improve operational reliability, and reduce operating costs.
Technology Investment Continues to Grow
The president also pointed to substantial growth in corporate investment in technological development across Russia. Between 2021 and 2024, such investment increased by 38%. Alongside traditional priorities such as constructing new power units, developing advanced reactor technologies, and establishing a closed nuclear fuel cycle, the nuclear industry is also expanding its digital capabilities.
Russia's technology development strategy combines technological sovereignty with active international cooperation. China remains its principal partner, with the two countries implementing some of the world's largest nuclear energy projects. Beyond supplying equipment and nuclear fuel, Rosatom is also participating in manufacturing localization. At the Yibin Fuel Fabrication Plant in Sichuan Province, adaptation of fuel assembly manufacturing technologies for VVER-1200 reactors is nearing completion.
Cooperation with other countries is also expanding. Rosatom offers international partners integrated solutions that include plant construction, workforce training, fuel supply, and digital services supporting plant operation. In India, the company has launched a program to develop digital twins for the nuclear sector, while in Egypt it has opened a training center for personnel at the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant.
Future Development
Maintaining leadership in the global nuclear energy market requires continuous technological progress. Rosatom is continuing work on next-generation reactors, a closed nuclear fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and ultra-small reactor systems designed to provide autonomous power for data centers. Development is also continuing on floating nuclear cogeneration plants and a new generation of nuclear-powered icebreakers.
Nuclear energy remains one of the strategic sectors of the Russian economy. Despite intensifying global competition, the country continues to maintain its position as a world leader.
