Russia’s first-floating nuclear power plant has arrived at its permanent base near an isolated Russian town across the Bering Strait from Alaska, Russian state nuclear energy company Rosatom said on Saturday.
Developed by Rosatom, the plant, known as “Akademik Lomonosov”, set off on a 5,000 km journey on Aug. 23 through Arctic waters to reach the Chukotka region, Reuters reported.
Rosatom said it aims to make the floating station operational by the yearend. It would become the world’s northernmost nuclear power station.
The plant will replace a coal-fired power plant and an aging nuclear power plant supplying more than 50,000 people with electricity in Chukotka.
Rosatom has long planned to launch sea-borne power units, which, with their mobile, small capacity plants, are best suited for remote regions. It has said they can help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions blamed for global warming.
The small plants were designed to make it possible to supply electricity to hard-to-reach areas of Russia. They can operate non-stop without the need for refueling for 3-5 years.
Environmental protection groups, including Greenpeace, have expressed concern over potential safety issues.
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