Rosatom ‘s water-cooled RITM-200N reactor unit has been licensed to build the first modern SMR nuclear reactor on earth in harsh Arctic conditions in the Ust-Yansky district of Yakutia.
Licensing decision a turning point for the global nuclear industry
The RITM-200N reactor was adapted from the RITM-200 series, which was successfully used to power the last fleet of nuclear icebreakers. Rosatom CEO Alexei Likhachev stressed that the licensing decision is “important for the global nuclear industry” and allows for the construction of a compact modular nuclear power plant that meets all post-Fukushima safety requirements for modern nuclear power plant design.
The SMR is expected to have a capacity of at least 55 MW and a lifespan of up to 60 years. The plant will provide a clean, cost-effective and stable source of energy to the remote Arctic territories of Yakutia with a decentralized power supply. Rosatom has already begun pre-construction work at the site, with more than 2,000 tons of cargo delivered and 80 workers and 38 pieces of equipment operational on site. The scope of work is increasing daily, and the plant is expected to be commissioned in 2028.
Commissioning of the SMR planned for 2028 for the remote regions of Yakutia
The project will not only provide energy to remote areas, but will also create a powerful industrial cluster in the region. A significant portion of the planned production will be used to develop one of Russia’s largest gold deposits, Kyuchus, the nearby Deputatskoye and Tirekhtyakh tin deposits, as well as the Yakutia municipalities. This will create new jobs and occupations in the region and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
The project to build the first modern SMR nuclear power plant in harsh Arctic conditions represents a major milestone for the global nuclear industry. This licensing decision will enable the construction of a compact modular nuclear power plant that meets all post-Fukushima safety requirements for modern nuclear power plant design. The project will also create a strong industrial cluster in the region and contribute to the economic growth of the area. The SMR is scheduled to be in service in 2028.
