By Venkatachari Jagannathan

Moscow, Jun 2 (IANS): The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) are major drivers for the global nuclear power industry was the unanimous view of the panelists at the 7th ATOMEXPO 2015 held here on Sunday.

"Forty out of 76 nuclear power plants under construction are in BRICS. Out of the 358 reactors that are operational in the world 86 are in BRICS," Aleksey Khokhlov, partner, PwC Strategy & Services (Rus) said.

Speaking on "Nuclear Power Industry in the BRIC countries" he said: "In 15 years time BRICS nations would be the main driver for economic growth. These countries are energy intensive."

The ATOMEXPO 2015 is a conference-cum-exhibition of the nuclear industry organised by Russian nuclear corporation Rosatom.

Khokhlov said the share of nuclear power in these countries in the overall energy mix would go up in the years to come.

According to K.B. Komarov, first deputy general director, development and international business, for Rosatom said Russia, China and South Africa are promoting nuclear power in a major way.

He said over a 30 year period Rosatom would build 12 atomic power units in India.

Komarov said, globalisation brings cost effectiveness and Rosatom encourages localisation of components.

Experts said Russia and China are now major nuclear power plant exporters.

There are also ideas to set up BRICS energy association including fuel reserve bank and energy policy institute.