Rosatom is working on a project to build a new shipyard in Murmansk to complete floating nuclear power units (PATES – Plavuchaya Atomnaya TeploElektroStantsiya), according to industry sources cited by RBC (press service of Rosatom). The plant could be built on a land plot near the base of FSUE Atomflot, which operates atomic icebreakers. The new project would be supervised by Andrei Nikipelov, Deputy General Director of Rosatom for Engineering & Industrial Solutions. Its technical aspects are being developed by LLC Engineering (formerly Atomenergomash).
RBC reported that Rosatom is developing a new line of business for generating electricity from floating power units: “Currently, the possibility of expanding the territory of Atomflot FSUE is being worked out, including for the maintenance of floating power units. The feasibility of the project is being analysed. At the same time, Rosatom said construction of the shipyard is not planned at present.
According to the sources, Rosatom plans to make the final decision on the project in the spring of 2025. Rosatom has already begun design and survey work at the site adjacent to the Atomflot base, which it plans to complete in Autumn 2026. Construction work may begin in 2027. The cost of the plant is estimated at RUB100bn ($1.1bn). The main obstacle is the lack of inexpensive borrowing in Russia.
Currently the only operating floating NPP is the Akademik Lomonosov based in the Arctic at Pevek (Chukotka). To supply energy to the Baime ore zone in Chukotka, Rosatom is building a series of four upgraded floating NPPs (Project 20871). According to the terms of the contract, the commissioning of the first two power units for Cape Nagleynyn is scheduled for early 2027, the third for the beginning of 2028, the fourth for the beginning of 2031. The laying of the huss for the first power unit took place at a shipyard in China in August 2022.
