Russia's floating nuclear power plant generates over 1 billion kWh in five years, set to replace Bilibino NPP by 2026
New Delhi: Russia's floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) located in the Pevek region of the Chukotka Autonomous District has generated more than 1 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity since its commissioning in May 2020, and currently accounts for over 60 per cent of the total energy production in the Chaun-Bilibino energy hub.
The FNPP supplies power to an energy-isolated region comprising western Chukotka and the village of Chersky in Yakutia. The facility will become the main supplier of heat and electricity for the region following the scheduled decommissioning of the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant at the end of 2025.
Powered by two
KLT-40S reactor
units, similar to those used in nuclear icebreakers, the FNPP has demonstrated an annual increase in output. The first full core refueling on the starboard-side reactor was completed in 2023, followed by the port-side reactor in 2024. Unlike traditional land-based nuclear plants which undergo partial refueling every 12–18 months, the FNPP replaces all spent fuel at once every few years.
Chief Engineer of the FNPP, Andrey Zaslavsky, said, 'FNPP is a symbol of Russia's leadership in advanced technological solutions — bringing power and heat to areas where other sources are either inaccessible or economically impractical. Over the past five years, we've successfully operated in the extreme conditions of the Far North, performing unique maintenance at our mooring site and steadily increasing energy production.'
He added, 'Starting in 2026, after the Bilibino plant shuts down, FNPP will become the main supplier of heat and electricity for enterprises across western Chukotka.'
The Akademik Lomonosov floating power unit (FPU), which houses the twin KLT-40S reactors, delivers 70 megawatts (MW) of electricity and 50 gigacalories per hour (Gcal/h) of heat. In addition to generating electricity, the FNPP supplies heat to the town of Pevek.
The facility is operated by Rosatom's Electric Power Division, which oversees 11 nuclear power plants with 35 power units across Russia, having a combined capacity of 28.5 gigawatts (GW). The division currently accounts for nearly 19 per cent of Russia's electricity generation.
The FNPP is part of a strategic initiative to explore small modular nuclear power plants (SNPPs) for deployment in hard-to-reach and Arctic regions as well as industrial clusters with stable power demand.
The development of the FNPP also supports regional social initiatives, including support to schools, healthcare institutions, cultural programmes, and environmental projects.
According to Rosatom, this initiative forms part of the Russian government's broader national development agenda, in coordination with regional authorities and domestic enterprises, focusing on infrastructure, healthcare, and housing.
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