The Main Scenarios for the Development of Nuclear Power Industry: Opportunities and Risks

The proposed article is aimed at discussing the need to choose the optimal long-term scenario for the development of Russian nuclear power industry, to reveal its content, directions, expected risks and consequences of implementation. The authors take the position of strengthening the state’s responsibility for choosing innovation priorities in the country’s energy sector. It is impossible to foresee the directions of Russia's socio-economic development without substantiating the ways of transformation of nuclear power industry – the basis for the formation of sustainable development of society under the conditions of sanctions pressure. Russian industry experts identify five basic scenarios for the development of nuclear power industry: from an innovative scenario to a digital model in the format of digitalization of the industry. The scenario of a complete abandonment of nuclear energy is not being considered by Russian specialists. Each of the discussed scenarios has its limitations and carries certain risks, but the growing energy needs of the Russian economy cannot be satisfied by the current model of nuclear power industry development, which requires a significant increase in economic, social and environmental efficiency.