Russian holding RAO Energy Systems of the East (RAO ES East) has started designing two 110kV overhead electricity transmission lines between the cities of Bilibino and Pevek in Chukotka, which will carry power from the floating nuclear co-generation power plant (FNPP) Akademik Lomonosov which is to be moored at Pevek. "Two parallel overhead electricity transmission lines (VL) will be of about 500 km each. They will replace the existing ageing grid infrastructure and transmit more electricity within the region," the holding said on June 20.
Premier-Energo has been selected as contractor for design and survey to construct the lines. The contract cost is RUB278m ($4.3m) without VAT, RAO ES East said. The design process should be completed within 10 months of concluding the contract. Erection of the first line is to be completed in 2019 and the second line in 2021. RAO ES East is part of the group RusGidro and is the largest supplier of electricity and heat in the far east region. The FNPP is being built at the Baltijskiy Zavod in St Petersburg and is due to be commissioned in 2019. It will replace the four unit ageing Bilibino NPP which is due to be decommissioned.
Mooring trials of Akademik Lomonosov will begin on 1 July, a year later than originally planned. These will be undertaken in two stages: first involving usual mooring trials as a floating object, and then integrated mooring trials with the equipment. PEB Project 20870 Akademik Lomonosov is a self-propelled vessel equipped with two KLT-40 nuclear reactor facilities. It is designed to provide 70MWe of electricity to remote areas in the northern seas as well as heat, and will also desalinate sea water. Its service life is 35-40 years with refuelling every 2.5-3 years. It will have a permanent crew of 69 people.
