Despite the devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar on March 28, claiming nearly 4,000 lives and causing widespread destruction, Russia has confirmed its commitment to proceed with the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country. The two nations have already signed an agreement for the construction of a small modular nuclear reactor facility, marking a significant development in their bilateral cooperation in the nuclear energy sector.
Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom is planning to construct a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) power plant with two reactor units, each capable of generating 55 megawatts, for a total capacity of 110 megawatts. The Russian authorities have assured that the earthquake has not affected their plans to proceed with the project. However, the exact location for the nuclear facility has not been disclosed, although preparations are reportedly underway. The project represents a major step in Myanmar’s energy infrastructure development, despite the recent natural disaster that has raised concerns about the safety of such installations in seismically active regions.
Currently, Myanmar is in the process of securing funding for this Russian-backed nuclear energy project. While the initiative is expected to help address Myanmar’s growing energy needs, there are significant safety concerns regarding nuclear power usage, particularly given the country’s location in an earthquake-prone region. The recent seismic event has heightened these concerns, although Russian authorities maintain that their nuclear technology is designed to withstand severe natural disasters. The project’s implementation will require careful consideration of safety protocols and emergency response measures, especially in light of the recent earthquake that demonstrated the region’s vulnerability to seismic activities.
