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Topic: Nuclear Energy Blog Brand: Energy World Region: Asia, and Eurasia Tags: International Lunar Research Station (ILRS), Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear Technology, Robotics, Russia, South Korea, and Space Nuclear Energy Now – Russia Expands Its Use of Nuclear Robotics January 30, 2026 By: Emily Day
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Nuclear Energy Now tracks the latest nuclear energy developments across technology, diplomacy, industry trends, and geopolitics.
South Korea Keeps Nuclear Expansion on Track
South Korea is proceeding with plans to build two new large nuclear reactors as outlined in its 11th Basic Plan for Electricity Supply and Demand, which was finalized in early 2025. Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) has opened a bidding process for local governments to host the reactors, which would have a combined capacity of 2.8 gigawatts electric (GWe) and are slated for completion by 2038. KHNP plans to select the site by 2027 and obtain construction permits in the early 2030s in order to meet that timeline. While President Lee Jae-myung has opposed nuclear new builds, arguing that building new reactors is unrealistic given the long construction timelines, he has supported the continued use of reactors that are already online or under construction, of which there are three. From a US–South Korea partnership perspective, the decision to continue new nuclear construction matters as maintaining an active construction program reinforces South Korea’s technical expertise, supply chain capacity, and credibility as a partner for joint nuclear projects and exports.
Russia Expands Its Use of Nuclear Robotics
Russia is accelerating the use of advanced robotics across its nuclear manufacturing and construction supply chains. Rosatom is deploying robots across 30 projects—spanning transportation, welding, inspection, and control operations—cutting approximately five hundred thousand standard work hours annually. These projects include the use of “welding robots” for nuclear power plant heat transfer and pumping equipment, both of which are estimated to have cut work times roughly in half. Russia also launched a spider robot in 2025 for ultrasonic inspection of reactor and steam generator welds. Beyond productivity gains, Rosatom says that robotics frees skilled workers for higher-value tasks while shortening construction timelines—a persistent challenge for nuclear energy projects. Russia’s continued investment in nuclear robotics strengthens its position as a supplier of nuclear energy technology, particularly for countries looking to adopt nuclear energy quickly.
Russia Targets Nuclear Power for the Moon
Roscosmos, Russia’s state-owned space agency, has contracted NPO Lavochkin to develop a nuclear-powered lunar energy station by 2036, with three planned missions between 2033 and 2035. The system—developed in cooperation with Rosatom and under the supervision of the Kurchatov Institute—is intended to support long-duration lunar operations, including rovers, observatories, and facilities associated with the China-Russia–led International Lunar Research Station (ILRS). This effort reflects broader Russian-Chinese cooperation in nuclear energy and space, and puts Russia within an increasing global effort to deploy nuclear power beyond Earth. Just a few weeks ago, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and US Department of Energy (DOE) signed a memorandum of understanding to co-develop a “fission surface power system” for the Moon, and in Europe, Framatome and the National Agency for New Technologies (ENEA) announced in September 2025 that they were exploring technological solutions for nuclear reactors to power future lunar settlements.
About the Author: Emily Day
Emily Day is an experienced researcher, writer, and editor with expertise in geopolitics, nuclear energy, and global security. She is an associate editor of Energy World and Techland at The National Interest and a senior research associate at Longview Global Advisors, where she provides insights on global political and economic trends with a specialization in utilities, risk, sustainability, and technology. She was previously a Della Ratta Energy and Global Security Fellow at the Partnership for Global Security.
Image: Dragon Claws/shutterstock
The post Nuclear Energy Now – Russia Expands Its Use of Nuclear Robotics appeared first on The National Interest.
Источник: nationalinterest.org