The Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) in Russia’s Arctic Chukotka region has generated its first billion kilowatt hours of electricity, marking a significant milestone nearly five years after it began commercial operation in May 2020.

Operated by Rosatom’s Rosenergoatom division, the FNPP supplies around 60% of the energy for the western Chukotka region and the town of Chersky in Yakutia, with its energy output steadily increasing each year.

The plant, the world’s only operational floating nuclear facility, is based in the remote city of Pevek, which has a population of just 5,000. It provides both electricity and heating to the local community.

The Akademik Lomonosov is equipped with two KLT-40S reactors, each capable of generating 35 megawatts of electricity. With this capacity, it can support a city with a population of up to 100,000 people.

Natalia Tarasova, Deputy Director for Human Resources Management at the FNPP, highlighted the challenges of operating in such extreme conditions.

“The past year was a landmark for the FNPP. Completing the first fuel campaign in Arctic conditions was no small feat,” she said.

“Our team works on a rotating schedule, with some personnel stationed 5,000 kilometers away in continental Russia, while others are permanently based in Pevek. Non-conventional approaches to work have been crucial to the success of the FNPP project from the very start.”

Looking ahead, Rosatom is expanding its floating nuclear power plant capabilities. The company is currently building four additional floating power units and plans to target international markets.

These new units will feature RITM-200M reactors, based on those used in Russia’s latest nuclear-powered icebreakers, with a planned capacity of at least 100 MWe and a service life of up to 60 years.

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