A Rusatom Overseas representative, a Rosatom subsidiary, disclosed that passenger service with the first hydrogen-powered trains in Russia is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025. The update, reported by the publication, has been confirmed by the press office of Russian Railways, which notes that initial expectations had placed hydrogen train operations on Sakhalin within the current year. The spokesperson pointed to the project’s innovative character as a key reason for the revised timetable, underscoring that launching hydrogen trains is a highly intricate, science-driven endeavor. Technical deliberations and the careful assessment of progress have influenced the decision-making timeline at Russian Railways, reflecting the complexity of bringing this cutting-edge technology to passenger service. (Source attribution: press statements from Rusatom Overseas and Russian Railways.)
A prominent industry figure, Alexei Likhachev, previously led Rosatom and later commented on Finland’s decision to end the Hanhikivi-1 nuclear power plant project, with Finland bearing the costs of its termination. He recalled that in December, the International Dispute Review Board examined the contract termination by the design firm Fennovoima and deemed it unlawful, a ruling that could entitle the company to seek compensation. The dialogue surrounding the dispute highlights how contractual commitments, international arbitration, and energy project risks intersect in a high-stakes, cross-border energy landscape. (Source attribution: industry commentary and DRB proceedings.)