Russia currently has 10 nuclear power stations comprising 31 reactors for a total production of 23,242 megawatts.

That amounts to between 16 and 17 percent of Russian electricity production. In January President Vladimir Putin said he wanted to see that figure rise to 25 percent by 2030.

Atomstroyexport, the only Russian company involved in building nuclear power stations abroad, is currently building three plants: at Tiawan in China, at Kudankulam in India and, most controversially, at Bushehr in Iran.

The firm is due to start work next year on a power station at Sinop in northern Turkey.

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