Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade has terminated a 400-million-ruble contract with the Scientific Research Institute of Instruments (NIIP), part of the state nuclear corporation Rosatom, after the institute failed to complete the first stage of a project to develop specialized silicon wafers for power electronics.
The findings were reported by CNews, which examined the government contract documents.
The agreement was signed in December 2024. NIIP was tasked with developing technology for producing ingots and polished wafers of neutron-transmutation-doped monocrystalline silicon with a diameter of 150 millimeters, as well as establishing pilot-scale production.
These materials are used to manufacture high-power semiconductor devices for electric rail and road transport, charging infrastructure, and industrial equipment.
The project specifications stated that Russia had no domestic production capacity for these materials and that obtaining foreign equivalents was difficult because of their strategic importance.
The first stage involved producing experimental batches and carrying out preliminary tests. Its deadline expired on May 15, 2026. According to CNews, the contractor failed to submit acceptance documents and the reports necessary to verify that the work had been completed.
The ministry decided to terminate the contract in October. NIIP was also assessed a fine of 1.5 million rubles, which, according to the documents reviewed, remained unpaid when the contract was terminated.
The project had originally been scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Subsequent plans envisaged production capacity of at least 100,000 wafers annually.
Experts interviewed by CNews said termination of the contract could delay the introduction of the technology until 2028 or later. That is an expert forecast, not a newly approved government production date.
The publication sent inquiries to the ministry and NIIP concerning the failure to complete the work and the project's future.