Rosatom boosts floating nuclear projects in the Far East

An agreement signed at Atomexpo 2024 in Sochi commits Rosatom to the development of floating nuclear power in Russia's Far East.

Share:

Rosatom nucléaire flottant Extrême-Orient Russie

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90£/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90£/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 £/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99£/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 £/year from the second year.

At the Atomexpo 2024 event in Sochi, Rosatom formalized a commitment to provide reliable, carbon-free power-generating facilities in the Russian Far East. This agreement focuses on exploring the financial, economic, legal and technical aspects of a future energy project in this strategic region.

Energy requirements and proposed solutions

The Russian Far East region is estimated to require at least 1.35 GW of power by 2029-2030, according to the operator of Russia’s Unified Energy System. Andrei Leontyev, Minister of Energy and Gas Supply of the Primorsky Territory, plans to build four floating power units to bridge the energy gap in the south of the region. In the medium term, the construction of a nuclear power plant with two 600 MW units is also planned to support regional development.

Advantages of small-scale nuclear power

Andrey Nikipelov, Rosatom’s Deputy General Manager for Mechanics and Industrial Solutions, highlights the benefits of small-scale nuclear power as a modern, environmentally-friendly solution for a stable energy supply, with costs that can be predicted for decades to come. Thanks to their mobility and scalability, floating power units offer a flexible response to the region’s current and future energy needs.

International commitments and prospects

Rosatom is developing floating nuclear power plants based on the RITM-200 reactor, already used in its new fleet of nuclear icebreakers. Several countries and regions are showing interest in these units, with up to 15 floating power plants planned for the Russian Arctic zone. Russia already has the Akademik Lomonosov floating power plant in Pevek, based on KLT-40S reactors, which supply heat and electricity to the city.

Rosatom and Russia’s TSS Group have also signed an agreement to create a joint venture dedicated to the construction and operation of floating nuclear units for foreign markets, using RITM-200 reactors with a capacity of 100 MW and a lifespan of at least 60 years. These units address current and future energy deficits in fast-growing regions such as Africa and the Middle East, where demand for a stable, green energy source is high.

The French Energy Regulatory Commission outlines a structured plan to accelerate the deployment of small modular reactors, focusing on industrial heat and series effects to enhance competitiveness.
US-based Nuclearn has secured $10.5mn to scale its artificial intelligence platform, already deployed in over 65 nuclear reactors, to automate critical operations amid rising energy demand.
The steel dome of the CAP1000 Haiyang 4 reactor has been positioned, a major construction milestone paving the way for upcoming maintenance and technical installation phases.
The Groupement des Industriels Français de l'Énergie Nucléaire and the Belgian Nuclear Forum formalise a partnership aimed at strengthening industrial exchanges and joint projects between the two countries’ nuclear sectors.
The International Atomic Energy Agency warns that little time remains to reach an agreement with Iran on fully resuming inspections, as European sanctions could be reimposed within 30 days.
Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.