Russia building floating reactor

The keel was laid for the world’s first floating nuclear power plant at the Sevmash shipyard. The Akademik Lomonosov will house two 35 MW KLT-40S nuclear reactors, similar to those used in Russia’s nuclear powered ice breakers, and two generators, and will be capable of supplying a city of 200,000 people.

It is estimated that the plant will cost around six billion roubles ($232 million) to build. A memorandum of understanding has also been signed by Sevmash and Rosenergoatom (Russia’s nuclear operator) for up to six more of the floating plants between 2008 and 2016. Two are envisaged for Pevek on Russia’s Chukotka peninsula on the East Siberian Sea, while others are thought to be suitable for providing power to Gazprom’s Arctic oil extraction operations. These would help Russia to achieve President Vladimir Putin’s goal of having nuclear generate 25% the country’s electricity by 2030.

The floating units could also be deployed in other countries for electricity and seawater desalination, operating for 15 years before returning to Russia for refuelling and maintenance. Other countries including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Namibia and Argentina are reported to have expressed an interest in buying the plants, which could also be used for desalination.