Rosatom gets license to operate floating nuclear power unit

Chennai, July 2019

Russia’s Federal Environmental Industrial and Nuclear Supervision Service (Rostechnadzor) has issued a license to Rosatom to operate the two nuclear reactors on board Akademik Lomonosov for the next 10 years.

Baltisky Yard has officially handed over the floating nuclear power plant to Rosenergoatom (part of the Power Division of Rosatom), which will be responsible for running of the floating nuclear plant when it is connected to grid in Pevek by the end of this year. The on-shore and hydraulic structures as well as infrastructure that will provide for transmission of electricity to the power grids of Chukotenergo and heat to the heat supply lines of the city is expected to be complete by the year end. Pevek is located on north-eastern coast of Siberia and is expected to play a key role in securing the Northern Sea Route for shipping.

General Director of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC Andey Petrov said: “Getting the FNPP operating license is a result of the complex longstanding work to develop a unique nuclear facility. This will allow to start transporting FNPP to the seaport of Pevek late this August followed by tests and commissioning of the floating nuclear co-generation plant late 2019.” Rosenergoatom will operate the plant till 2029.

 The floating nuclear reactor is expected to produce first kilowatt-hours of electricity in December 2019. In future, FNPP should replace generating capacities of Chaun-Bilibino Energy Hub – Chaun TPP in Pevek and Bilibino NPP in the city of Bilibino. The floating reactor placed in Pevek will create conditions for expedite socioeconomic development of Chaun Municipality and Chukotka as a whole.