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Rosatom is also working on a new FNPP with four reactors
The world’s only operational floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) – in Russia – has so far generated 978 million kWh of electricity in five years.
On 19 December 2019, the FNPP – a project developed by Rosenergoatom, part of Rosatom’s Electric Power Division – was first connected to the isolated Chaun-Bilibino grid.
Since then, it has steadily increased its output.
As of 19 December 2024, the FNPP – the Akademik Lomonosov – has supplied approximately 978 million kWh of electricity to the Chaun-Bilibino energy hub in Chukotka, in the far east of Russia.
Rosatom said this level of output is sufficient to meet the entire region’s energy needs for more than a year.
Currently, nuclear power accounts for 88% of the energy mix in the Chaun-Bilibino grid, with the FNPP contributing more than 60%.
“The plant’s consistent output growth demonstrates its capacity to handle increased demand, especially as the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant is scheduled for decommissioning in late 2025,” said Rosatom.
“The FNPP’s design capacity of 429 million kWh per year is crucial for offsetting the retiring capacity of the Bilibino plant (approximately 100 million kWh annually) and meeting the region’s growing energy demand, which saw a record 15% increase last year.”
Floating nuclear power plant paves way for development
Andrey Zaslavsky, Acting Director of the FNPP, said that since its launch the facility has consistently increased production.
“In 2020, we generated 127 million kWh, which grew to 175 million kWh in 2021 and 250 million kWh in 2024.
“Five years of successful operation in the Arctic and the Far North have given Rosatom invaluable expertise in managing such facilities. This experience has laid the foundation for Rosatom’s new projects in small nuclear energy, enabling the development of remote and isolated regions using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology.
“In addition to the FNPP, Rosatom is also working on a new floating nuclear power plant with four reactors at Cape Nagleyynyn in Chukotka and a land-based SMR with the latest RITM-200 reactor in Ust-Kuyga, Yakutia,” said Zaslavsky.
The FNPP was deployed in Chukotka to address two primary goals: replacing the ageing capacities of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (operational since 1974) and the more than 70-year-old Chaunskaya Thermal Power Plant.
It has also ensured a reliable energy supply for mining enterprises in the Chaun-Bilibino hub, including gold mining companies and projects in the Baimskaya ore zone. |
