Latest news with #AkademikLomonosov
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
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.
Russia Today
29-03-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Power couple: How India and Russia reignited their atomic bond
In an era of shifting geopolitics and global climate imperatives, India and Russia stand at the forefront of a nuclear energy revolution. New Delhi has announced that it is planning to build five indigenously-manufactured small modular reactors (SMR) – named Bharat nuclear reactors – in the next few years with the help of private participation. The ambitious plan to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) by 2047 is functional with a 170% increase in the nuclear energy budget in the last decade. The country's federal budget for the 2025 financial year has laid the groundwork for a nuclear renaissance. This includes a substantial 200 billion rupees ($2.3 billion) allocation for SMR development – India aims to operationalize at least five indigenous SMRs by 2033 , the document states. The budget also proposed reforms to attract private investments, signaling India's decisive shift towards energy independence. A crucial aspect of this vision is deepening ties with Russia, India's most enduring nuclear partner. For Russia, India's nuclear push presents an opportunity to further cement its position as a pivotal partner in India's energy future, leveraging decades of successful collaboration. Technology partnership India and Russia's nuclear partnership dates to the late 1980s, culminating in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP), a testament to their shared commitment to peaceful nuclear energy. Rosatom built the 2,000 MW Kudankulam units, with four more reactors under construction, reinforcing Russia's reputation as a reliable partner. READ MORE: Non-binary choices: Why India won't pick sides between Russia and the US Russia's Rosatom , already a key player in India's nuclear landscape, has shown interest in developing SMRs for India's diverse energy needs, particularly for powering remote regions and decarbonizing heavy industries. With Rosatom's expertise in floating SMRs like the Akademik Lomonosov , Russia can help India fast-track SMR deployment, bringing flexible and scalable nuclear power to underserved areas. The Indian government's push for SMRs aligns seamlessly with Russia's technological leadership. Russia has pioneered lead-cooled fast reactors and floating nuclear plants, technologies that can address India's geographic and industrial energy challenges. India's key nuclear research body, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), based in Mumbai, is actively developing Bharat Small Reactors, and Russian design expertise could enhance these efforts. By partnering with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), Rosatom can ensure safe, efficient reactor deployment while providing training and operational support. Sectorial reforms Development of India's nuclear sector has been plagued with a host of regulatory barriers, liability concerns, and geopolitical pressures. The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act (CLNDA) – enacted in 2010 with a view to provide prompt compensation to the victims for damage caused by a nuclear incident through a no-fault liability regime – deterred private investment. However, New Delhi is now revising liability norms to attract foreign investors. The CLNDA's impact on India-Russia collaboration has been limited so far due to the government-to-government (G2G) nature of the projects being implemented. For instance, the KNPP continued under a sovereign framework, with liability provisions addressed through bilateral agreements. This G2G structure shields Russian state entities like Rosatom from direct liability, enabling ongoing cooperation even under existing regulations. However, the reforms could unlock Russian private capital and expedite SMR rollouts. READ MORE: Trump is pushing India to buy more American gas – could Russia's be the better choice? Furthermore, achieving 100 GW nuclear capacity will require nearly $450 billion investment over the next two decades. To address this, India is exploring public-private partnerships, foreign direct investment, and Sovereign Green Bonds. Russia, with its state-backed nuclear financing models, can help mitigate financial risks, offering concessional loans like those provided for KNPP. Certainly, Russia is not the only global nuclear industry leader competing for the opportunities in the Indian marker. The US and France are both eager to offer India SMR solutions, with firms like NuScale and EDF actively promoting their technologies. Yet, concerns over the CLNDA have historically strained negotiations with Western firms, as they sought greater liability protection. Russia's ability to bypass this hurdle through G2G frameworks gives it a comparative edge in securing long-term nuclear cooperation with India. Additionally, given public skepticism over nuclear energy projects and potential resistance like in cases of the proposed Jaitapur project , Russia's exemplary safety record and proactive public engagement strategies can serve as a model. By collaborating on transparency initiatives and public outreach programs, India and Russia can jointly build confidence in nuclear energy's safety and sustainability. Russia's approach to post-Fukushima safety enhancements, including passive safety systems and next-generation reactor designs, can inform India's nuclear policy, ensuring public concerns are addressed with cutting-edge safety protocols. Scope for innovation India's leadership in thorium-based reactors and Russia's advancements in fast neutron reactors create immense potential for joint R&D. The 2025 budget's $2.31 billion nuclear sector R&D pledge could be amplified through deeper Indo-Russian collaboration, accelerating the development of molten salt reactors and high-temperature gas-cooled reactors . READ MORE: Terminal velocity: Why the EU's gas holes are testing India's energy policy Additionally, Russia's expertise in spent fuel reprocessing can help India manage nuclear waste more efficiently, closing the fuel cycle and enhancing long-term sustainability. Beyond technology and financing, nuclear cooperation strengthens India-Russia geopolitical ties. As BRICS+ nations navigate a multipolar world, energy security becomes a strategic pillar of their partnership. By jointly developing advanced nuclear technologies, India and Russia can lead the Global South's transition to clean energy, reducing reliance on Western-dominated energy systems.
