DIRECTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN ORDER TO STRENGTHEN NATIONAL ENERGY SECURITY

The article identifies priorities for the development of nuclear energy as a tool for strengthening Russia’s energy security. It is shown that capital expenditures remain the key price lever: the LCOE structure is clarified, taking into account system costs, and the calculation of the total cost of the project is presented through specific capital investments, capacity, completion ratio, and contingency reserve. Based on the institutional data for 2022–2024, the growth of the investment program to 1,5 trillion rubles was recorded. The BOO export model and its contribution to maintaining its share in the global market are analyzed. The socio-economic effect in the cities of presence (taxes, employment, infrastructure) and the combination of sectoral projects with regional development were assessed. The legal and strategic contours up to 2050 are considered, including the closure of the nuclear fuel cycle and the development of the MMR. The conditions for the phased implementation are formulated: standardization of projects, reduction of construction risks, diversification of financing and expansion of non-electric applications of nuclear technologies. The results are addressed to regulators and investors for setting up policy tools and selecting projects.