Russia is moving against the trend in much of Western Europe where many governments are planning to phase out nuclear power rather than boost it.

Germany, Belgium and Sweden have opted to get rid of nuclear power stations, largely on environmental grounds.

But Ryabev said building nuclear reactors made most sense economically and in terms of the environment.

Nuclear plants do not produce carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas targeted by environmental campaigners, but opponents point to the risk of explosions like that at Chernobyl in Soviet Ukraine in 1986.

Nuclear energy will make up 37 percent of Russia's total energy output by 2020, he said, rising from the current levels of between 15-20 percent.

He told deputies electricity output at nuclear installations would grow by five percent a year, twice the growth rate of thermoelectric and hydropower plants.

Ryabev added Russia would also help build six reactors outside its borders in Iran, India and China.