The Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s only floating nuclear power plant (FNPP), has surpassed one billion kilowatt-hours of electricity generation in the Arctic region. This milestone underscores the plant’s reliability and efficiency in remote and hard-to-reach areas, making it a viable solution for countries with coastlines, including in Africa.
“The past year was a landmark for the FNPP. We completed the first fuel campaign under Arctic conditions, overcoming significant challenges. This achievement is due to effective planning and the coordinated efforts of our plant personnel,” said Natalia Tarasova, Deputy HR Director of the Akademik Lomonosov FNPP.
Located in Pevek, Russia, the northernmost nuclear power plant in the world, the Akademik Lomonosov has a capacity of 70 MW. Since beginning commercial operations, it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 390,000 tonnes and provided continuous heat and electricity to over 4,000 residents. The plant is set to celebrate its fifth anniversary in May 2025.
The success of the FNPP highlights the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) – both floating and land-based – as clean, reliable, and scalable energy solutions. These reactors offer key advantages, including lower emissions, ease of deployment and modular expansion capabilities.
Recognising their potential, Rosatom has signed agreements to expand SMR deployment globally. In June 2024, Rosatom signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Guinea to develop floating power units (FPUs) equipped with RITM-200 reactors.
Additionally, Rosatom has begun the installation of RITM-200N reactors at Yakutsk NPP in Russia and signed its first export contract for an SMR project in Uzbekistan in 2024.
In October 2024, Rosatom director-general Alexey Likhachev announced that the design of a new FPU with two RITM-200M reactors for foreign projects would be completed by year-end. He noted that Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, and Malaysia are among the countries expressing interest in FPUs, demonstrating a growing global shift toward modular nuclear energy solutions.
