Fresh nuclear fuel delivered for Reactor 1 of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant

The fuel division of Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom) has delivered a batch of fresh nuclear fuel to Pevek, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, for Reactor 1 of the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant. The plant, which is part of Rosatom's power division, is currently the only operating floating nuclear power plant in the world.

The fuel was produced by Machine-Building Plant Joint-Stock Company (MSZ JSC) in Elektrostal, Moscow Oblast. Prior to delivery to the plant, the fuel assemblies had undergone acceptance testing and technical inspections, and received certification from the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping, the authority responsible for acceptance certification of nuclear fuel for marine reactor units.

The Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant is equipped with two KLT-40S reactors. Unlike conventional large land-based nuclear power units, which typically undergo partial refueling every 12 to 18 months, the KLT-40S reactors have a refueling cycle of several years, requiring the entire core to be unloaded and fully reloaded with fresh fuel. Reactor 1 of the plant completed its first refueling at the end of 2023, and Reactor 2 completed its first refueling in 2024, marking the completion of the first fuel cycle for both reactors as planned. According to the schedule, the next refueling of Reactor 2 is planned for 2027.

The Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant was first connected to the grid in December 2019 and entered commercial operation in May 2020. The plant has a total installed capacity of approximately 76 MW, with electricity supplied directly to the coastal grid of Pevek; at maximum heat supply output, the electrical power is approximately 44 MW. Pevek has a population of just over 4,000, yet the plant's generating capacity can meet the electricity demand of a city with a population of about 100,000.

Since its commissioning, the plant has served two main purposes: first, to replace part of the retired capacity of the Bilibino nuclear power plant, which has been in operation since 1974, and the Chaun thermal power plant, which has been operating for more than 70 years; and second, to supply power to mining enterprises within the Chaun–Bilibino power hub in western Chukotka, including gold mining operations and projects related to the Baimskaya ore field development. In September 2023, a 490 km, 110 kV transmission line connecting Pevek and Bilibino was put into operation.

Rosatom is also advancing the construction of commercial floating power units based on RITM series reactor technology, intended to supply electricity to coastal and remote areas, with plans to serve Russia's large non-ferrous metals projects. MSZ JSC is one of the enterprises within Rosatom's fuel division, producing nuclear fuel for various power, transport, and research reactors.