"In China, there's a proverb: Repair the roof before the rain comes. But there's another saying I often refer to: It takes 10 years to grow a tree, but 100 years to cultivate talent. This, once again, underscores the importance of acting in advance. Only by starting today can we reap the rewards a decade from now," Artem Goncharuk, Director General of Rosatom East Asia Company, stressed the role of talented people in a country's nuclear power development.

Tran Chi Thanh, President of the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute, echoed Goncharuk's remarks, stating that Viet Nam has sent students to Russia and Japan for study of and training in nuclear technologies. The country recently decided to resume its nuclear power program, which was initially launched 16 years ago but was suspended approximately eight years ago, according to Tran.

They made the remarks at a BRICS Nuclear Platform session, themed Key Factors Impacting the Development of Nuclear Power, in Beijing on April 29. The platform is a mechanism for cooperation created by nuclear power companies and agencies from BRICS member and partner states in 2024, including Rosatom, China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), ESKOM of South Africa and the Ministry of Innovation and Technology of Ethiopia.

BRICS is a group of emerging economies originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.

Experts from BRICS member states and partner countries, along with representatives from international and regional energy organizations, exchanged insights on nuclear power development at the event, with a particular focus on collaboration within the BRICS framework.

Developing nuclear energy 

Nuclear power projects involve extended construction periods, massive capital requirements, highly complex technologies and stringent regulatory oversight. "These multifaceted challenges make nuclear power financing particularly demanding. Therefore, a stable, long-term government policy is crucial for the development of nuclear energy," Cheng Lei, CFO at the CNNC Strategic Planning Research Institute, said. 

For countries that are just beginning to develop nuclear power, policy certainty is fundamental to the sector's growth, according to Cheng.

Additionally, robust nuclear financing mechanisms are essential to attract investors and secure capital market funding, he added, elaborating on the development process in China, which began developing its nuclear power sector in the 1980s and 1990s. In the early stages, the country relied on imported nuclear technologies, and gave strong government support through measures such as credit guarantees and other financial instruments.

Sengiphile Simelane, Group Executive of Power and Industry at the South African Nuclear Energy Corp., also stressed that funding is fundamental.

South Africa started its nuclear program in the early 1980s. However, when embarking on such a program, one of the main hurdles was difficulties in infrastructure financing. "It's very important to have a long-term vision if you want to establish a nuclear program," Simelane said.

"We understand that the key factor for nuclear development is to have supportive policies and a financing mechanism," said Nadhilah Shani, manager of the ASEAN Center for Energy's Power Generation and Interconnection Department. The center is an intergovernmental organization that serves the interests of the 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states in terms of energy cooperation within the region.

According to her, energy demand across the ASEAN expanse is projected to rise sharply by 2050—approximately 2.6 times higher than current levels. Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam and others are preparing their national policies, regulatory frameworks and necessary infrastructure to launch nuclear energy programs. 

Additionally, engaging with the public and local communities to build trust in nuclear energy is essential, particularly in addressing misconceptions and concerns. 

"One of the biggest challenges that nuclear power programs face is securing and sustaining the support of key stakeholders. This would obviously include ensuring that the public is on board when we want to deploy nuclear power programs in South Africa," Max Msabala, ESKOM's Engineering Manager for the Nuclear Build Program, said.

According to Msabala, ESKOM has launched a proactive campaign aiming to communicate the benefits of nuclear power, raise public awareness of its diverse applications and build public understanding of and support for the zero-carbon energy source.

Securing a stable nuclear fuel supply is decisive in ensuring the continuous operation of nuclear power plants, according to Chen Xin, Deputy Director of the Uranium Resources Department at China's State Nuclear Uranium Resource Development Co. Ltd.

She noted that while uranium is classified as a strategic resource in many countries, a paradox exists globally: Countries endowed with abundant uranium often lack nuclear reactors, whereas major nuclear energy producers like China face insufficient domestic uranium production to meet their reactor demands.

"This situation underscores the vital importance of energy and supply chain security, which necessarily requires strengthened international cooperation," Chen emphasized.

François Morin, China Director of the World Nuclear Association, expressed strong confidence in nuclear power's development prospects. He cited World Bank President Ajay Banga's endorsement of nuclear energy, noting that the bank will convene a board meeting in June to reconsider its longstanding policy against funding nuclear power projects. This review may potentially qualify nuclear power for inclusion in green financing initiatives. 

BRICS collaboration 

"BRICS nations have significant potential to collaborate in supporting nuclear technology development in newcomer countries. By joining forces through research initiatives and knowledge-sharing programs, we can pool expertise, resources and best practices to accelerate safe and sustainable nuclear energy adoption," Teclemariam Tessema, Coordinator of the Nuclear Expert Group under Ethiopia's Ministry of Innovation and Technology, said.

According to Tessema, experienced nations can engage in agreements with newcomer countries to facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies. "This cooperation can help accelerate the development and deployment of nuclear technologies by leveraging the expertise and experience of the more advanced nations within the group through these agreements," he said.

"We can also work together to harmonize regulatory frameworks and standards related to nuclear technologies in newcomer countries. This can help ensure safety, security and compliance with international norms," he added.

"BRICS possesses immense potential for joint technological development, knowledge transfer, shared investments, designing next-generation nuclear power plants and establishing international standards," Mahmoud Azizi, Director of International Affairs, Public Relations and Social Acceptance at Iran's Nuclear Power Production and Development Co., said.

"What's particularly noteworthy is that all five founding BRICS nations are established nuclear power countries. It's a good example for all the newcomers. They have all knowledge and operational experience. So there is no difficulty to transfer this knowledge to other countries," Morin said.

"In the beginning, we can concentrate on some particular projects of common interest, for example, talent cultivation projects for every country to contribute to and benefit from," Goncharuk concluded. 

(Print Edition Title: Powering the Future) 

Copyedited by Elsbeth van Paridon 

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