The floating nuclear power plant (FNPP, a branch of Rosenergoatom, Joint-Stock Company, Rosatom’s Electric Power division), has generated its first billion kilowatt-hours of electricity for the isolated power grid of the Chaun-Bilibino energy hub in the Chukotka Autonomous Region.
Currently, the share of electricity generated by the floating nuclear power plant in the Chukotka energy hub (serves western Chukotka and the village of Chersky in Yakutia) exceeds 60 %. The FNPP increases its output each year and exceeded the annual target set by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) each of the past few years.
The plant is preparing to celebrate its first anniversary in May 2025, marking five years since it began commercial operations.
“The past year was a landmark for the FNPP. The FNPP first fuel campaign was successfully completed in Arctic conditions, which was a challenge we overcame. I attribute this success primarily to the effective planning and coordinated work of the plant personnel. One special thing about our work is that some of the personnel work on a rotating schedule, while others work 5,000 kilometers away in the continental Russia, and the rest are permanently based in Pevek. It should be noted that non-conventional approaches to work have been an essential part of the FNPP project from the very beginning. The professionalism and high potential of the employees, as well as the strength and valuable contributions of each member, teamwork and cooperation have led to impressive results,” said Natalia Tarasova, Deputy HR Director at the FNPP.
Reference
Rosatom’s Electric Power division is the major producer of clean energy in Russia. The division’s management company, Rosenergoatom, Joint-Stock Company, operates 11 nuclear power plants, including the world’s only floating nuclear power plant (FNPP). Thirty-five power units with a combined capacity of 28.5 gigawatts account for approximately 19 % of the electricity generated in Russia. The division companies provide a comprehensive range of services, including commissioning, repair and maintenance, as well as training personnel for nuclear power units; produce isotopes for medical, agricultural, and microelectronic applications. The division is actively working in new areas (the development of charging infrastructure for e-vehicles, biogas stations, and the manufacturing of industrial robots, etc.) rosenergoatom.ru
The floating nuclear power plant (FNPP), based in Pevek in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, is the only operational floating NPP with low capacity and the northernmost nuclear power plant in the world. One of its main tasks in the region is supplying energy for the large-scale mining operations at the main deposits in the Baimskaya ore area. One of the consumers of the energy generated by the FNPP is Peschanka, the largest deposit being also the basis for the promising Baimskoye mining and processing plant. The total energy that the Akademik Lomonosov power unit generates for the Pevek coastal network without thermal energy onshore consumption is 70 MW, and approximately 44 MW in the maximum thermal power mode.
The population of Pevek is about 5,000 people. However, the FNPP is capable of providing electricity for a city with up to 100,000 residents.
The comprehensive development of the Russian Arctic is a national strategic priority. Increasing the cargo traffic along the NSR is crucial for solving transport and cargo shipping tasks. The development of this logistics corridor involves organizing regular cargo transportation, building new nuclear icebreakers, and modernizing relevant infrastructure. Rosatom companies are actively involved in these efforts.
