Chinese Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Industry Delegation Visits Russian Floating Nuclear Thermal Power Plant

From July 28 to 30, representatives from China's National Nuclear Safety Administration, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and the Chinese Embassy in Russia, together with officials from the Federal Service for Environmental, Technological and Nuclear Supervision of the Russian Federation (Rostechnadzor), jointly visited the floating nuclear thermal power plant located in Pevek, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug. The plant is operated by Rosenergoatom, the power generation division of Rosatom.

During the visit, the delegation inspected the floating power unit and onshore facilities, and learned about the operation of key equipment. Chinese experts focused on spent fuel storage, refueling procedures, and related equipment configurations, while also exchanging views on the operating modes and technical parameters of the reactor plant and turbine generator units. The delegation also learned about the primary and secondary circuit process flows of the Akademik Lomonosov floating power unit.

Following the on-site visit, a working meeting was held in the conference area of the Akademik Lomonosov. Viktor Yelagin, Director of the floating nuclear thermal power plant, briefed the Chinese delegation and Rostechnadzor officials on the plant's production indicators, technical and economic characteristics, safety levels, operational experience in the Far North, and the development prospects of small-scale nuclear power generation.

Alexey Ferapontov, Deputy Chairman of Rostechnadzor, together with Yelagin, also held a Q&A session with the visiting delegation on nuclear safety assurance and regulatory issues related to the floating power unit. Ferapontov noted that with the advancement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) "ATLAS" initiative, maritime nuclear energy applications are entering a new phase of international development. As the world's only currently operating floating nuclear power unit, the Akademik Lomonosov's operational experience provides valuable reference for similar projects.

The Akademik Lomonosov, located in Pevek, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Russia, is one of the world's operating floating small nuclear power plants and the northernmost nuclear thermal power plant in operation. Without supplying heat to shore, the unit can deliver approximately 70 MW of electricity to the Pevek onshore grid; in maximum heating mode, electricity output is approximately 44 MW. According to Russian sources, the plant provides energy support for Pevek and surrounding industrial projects.