BRICS+ Members Strengthen Their Cooperation in Nuclear Energy

The BRICS+ Nuclear Energy Platform aims to share experiences and support the development of nuclear technologies among member countries, thereby enhancing collaboration in the energy sector.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The members of the intergovernmental BRICS organization, currently comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), plan to intensify their cooperation in the field of nuclear energy. This initiative is part of the expansion of BRICS, now sometimes referred to as BRICS+, which includes more than 20 other countries interested in joining the organization, widely seen as a counterbalance to the G7 group of industrialized nations.

The current presidency of BRICS+, expanded from 5 to 10 members this year, is held by Russia. The annual summit will take place next week in the city of Kazan. Ahead of this event, the BRICS+ Business Forum is underway, with a particular focus on collaboration in the field of peaceful uses of nuclear technology, discussed during a meeting at the Moscow Atom Museum.

Initiatives and Objectives of the Nuclear Platform

Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom, stated that nearly all members of the organization are implementing projects in the field of nuclear energy. “Today, many BRICS members are the technological drivers of the international nuclear market. The common experience can and should be used and replicated throughout the BRICS space and across the planet as a whole. Therefore, we propose to join forces within the framework of the BRICS Nuclear Platform, a voluntary alliance of companies, professional nuclear communities, and NGOs supporting the development and implementation of nuclear technologies,” he explained.

BRICS member countries currently have 390 gigawatts electric (GWe) of operable nuclear power units, with an additional 66 megawatts electric (MWe) under construction. One of the platform’s objectives is to assist companies, if necessary, in persuading their governments to view nuclear energy as a clean energy source, and to share assistance in addressing other issues that may be hindering nuclear energy projects.

According to Russia’s official Tass news agency, Likhachev informed reporters that the process of legal formalization of the Nuclear Energy Platform had begun. Its main aim is to develop and implement best practices related to the energy and non-energy use of nuclear technologies for peaceful purposes in BRICS and BRICS+ markets, as well as to develop incentive mechanisms and project implementation models in member countries.

Support and Perspectives of BRICS Members

It was reported that the platform is intended for companies, nuclear power plants, and related organizations—“those capable of contributing to the development of the nuclear power sector”—and that the plan was unanimously approved.

Orpet Peixoto, Deputy Chairman of the Brazilian Association for the Development of the Nuclear Industry, expressed his satisfaction: “I am very happy with the progress in the formation of the Platform. I believe it will prove fruitful for BRICS countries and BRICS associate member-states… we are one of the very few countries in the world with all the elements of the nuclear fuel cycle, but we need support, we need financing, and we know that we can obtain them through cooperation with BRICS countries. So, I see Brazil has a lot to gain from cooperation within the platform.”

Meanwhile, speaking at the BRICS+ business forum on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that BRICS members now hold a larger share of the global gross domestic product than G7 members. He added that its members are “in fact the drivers of global economic growth” and that, with the development of “communication channels, technological and educational standards, financial systems, payment instruments, and, of course, mechanisms for sustainable, long-term investment… the economic growth of BRICS members in the future will increasingly depend less on outside influence or interference.”

Implications for the Global Nuclear Energy Market

This initiative could have significant repercussions on the global nuclear energy market, strengthening the position of BRICS+ as key players in the development and dissemination of nuclear technologies. Increased collaboration among these countries could facilitate the sharing of resources, technological innovation, and the establishment of common standards, thereby promoting a faster and more efficient expansion of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.

Challenges and Opportunities

However, this cooperation is not without challenges. Political divergences, varying national regulations, and concerns related to nuclear safety can impede the effective implementation of projects. Nevertheless, the opportunities offered by enhanced collaboration, particularly in terms of financing, research and development, and the sharing of best practices, are considerable.

Future Perspectives

In the long term, the BRICS+ Nuclear Energy Platform could play a crucial role in the global energy transition by providing a viable alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to the reduction of carbon emissions. The success of this initiative will depend on the members’ ability to overcome obstacles and maintain a common commitment to sustainable development and international cooperation.

Endesa, Iberdrola and Naturgy have officially requested the Spanish government to delay the closure of the Almaraz nuclear power plant, originally scheduled for 2028, reigniting the debate on nuclear power's role in the national energy mix.
The reactor vessel for Unit 1 at Egypt’s El Dabaa nuclear plant has been delivered following a 20-day maritime transport from Saint Petersburg, marking a critical milestone in the country’s energy project.
Ontario Power Generation secures CAD3bn ($2.1bn) in public equity financing to construct four modular reactors at Darlington, aiming to ease private sector entry into next-generation nuclear infrastructure.
French developer Newcleo launches a joint venture with Nextchem through a EUR70 mn contract to design the conventional island of its upcoming 200 MW modular nuclear reactors.
NANO Nuclear strengthens its North American strategy by acquiring Global First Power in Canada, securing regulatory rights for its KRONOS MMR™ project at Chalk River.
South Korea becomes the first country to submit a safeguards technical report to the IAEA for a small modular reactor, setting a precedent for early integration of non-proliferation requirements in nuclear design.
The Environmental Authority criticises the lack of key data on health risks, chemical discharges and construction safety for EDF's two upcoming EPR2 reactors in Seine-Maritime.
Brazil and China have concluded a three-year agreement to secure access to essential radioisotopes for the medical, industrial and scientific sectors, with no financial exchange between the parties.
US-based developer Last Energy will deploy its first domestic microreactor at Texas A&M-RELLIS, marking a strategic step in the advanced modular reactor race.
PGE acquires ZE PAK's stake in the joint venture responsible for developing Poland’s second nuclear site, consolidating a strategic asset within its energy portfolio.
Amazon unveils new visuals of its upcoming nuclear site, marking a key step in its partnership with X-energy to deploy up to 960 MW of modular nuclear capacity in Washington state.
Canadian uranium producer NexGen Energy has completed a A$1bn ($639mn) equity raise split between North American and Australian markets to support the development of its Rook I project.
Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings is examining the permanent closure of units 1 and 2 at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the oldest at the site, while continuing efforts to restart unit 6.
The formal expiration of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran comes as international sanctions have already been reinstated and diplomatic negotiations remain stalled.
Oklo, newcleo and Blykalla partner to develop advanced nuclear fuel infrastructure in the United States, backed by a planned $2bn investment.
enCore Energy has identified three new uranium roll fronts at its Alta Mesa project, with ongoing drilling aimed at defining their extent and accelerating development work.
California-based Radiant will build its first microreactor production facility in Oak Ridge, on a former Manhattan Project site, with production targeted at 50 units per year by 2028.
EDF restarted the Flamanville EPR reactor after repairing non-compliant valves, delaying the target of reaching full power output of 1,620 MW until the end of autumn.
Nano Nuclear and the University of Illinois will begin drilling operations for the KRONOS MMR™ reactor on October 24, marking a key step toward commercialisation of the nuclear project on the Urbana-Champaign campus.
Natura Resources is finalising construction of the MSR-1, an advanced liquid-fuel nuclear reactor, with a planned launch in 2026 on the Abilene Christian University campus.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.