The world’s first floating nuclear power plant (FNPP), Akademik Lomonosov, has reached a significant milestone, marking five years since it began commercial operations in Russia’s remote Western Chukotka region.

Commissioned to supply energy to the isolated Chaun-Bilibino energy hub, the FNPP has since proven to be a stable and reliable source of both electricity and heat.

Over the course of its operation, Akademik Lomonosov has generated more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity.

Currently, it provides over 60% of the total energy output for the Chaun-Bilibino hub, with annual production steadily increasing to meet regional demands.

Powered by two KLT-40S reactor units—similar to those used in Russian nuclear icebreakers—the FNPP delivers 70 megawatts of electricity and 50 Gcal/h of thermal energy.

This output is distributed to local consumers via a dedicated onshore infrastructure. Unlike conventional land-based nuclear facilities that undergo partial refueling every 12 to 18 months, the floating plant is designed for full-core refueling every few years, offering logistical advantages in remote environments.

The FNPP represents a key component of Russia’s broader strategy to advance small modular nuclear power plants (SMRs), seen as crucial for delivering reliable energy to isolated, Arctic, and hard-to-access regions, as well as to industrial sites with moderate but consistent power needs.

Operated by Rosenergoatom, a division of Rosatom, Akademik Lomonosov is part of Russia’s expanding portfolio of low-carbon energy infrastructure.

Rosenergoatom manages 11 nuclear power plants across the country, comprising 35 reactor units with a total capacity of 28.5 GW—collectively accounting for nearly 19% of Russia’s electricity generation.

The FNPP remains the only operational floating nuclear thermal power plant in the world.

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