Exploring the Benefits of Russia's World's First Floating Nuclear Power Plant in Pevek
Key Highlights :
As the world transitions to cleaner sources of energy, the need for small modular reactor (SMR) technology has become more pressing. Russia has taken the lead in this regard, developing a futuristic nuclear plant that is already operational in the country’s Far East region. The world’s first floating nuclear power plant (FNPP) ‘Akademik Lomonosov’ began commercial operation in May 2020, and is producing energy from two 35 MW reactors. The FNPP is located in the port town of Pevek, in the Russian Far East, and is providing round-the-clock power supply and round-the-year heat supply to the region.
The FNPP is completely safe and is designed to operate stably under high shock loads, which are much heavier than those caused by extremely severe earthquakes of magnitude 8 and more. The reactors of the RITM series are also designed to allow for safe and efficient operation of the plant for at least 60 years.
India is currently collaborating with Russia to build six Light Water Reactors in Kudankulam, two of which are already operational. India is also in the process of developing a formal policy on SMRs, which are a fraction of the size of a conventional nuclear power reactor, making it possible for systems and components to be factory-assembled and transported as a unit to a location for installation.
The deployment of the world’s first floating NPP in the Arctic region, which powers the city of Pevek in Russia, illustrates the advantages that SMRs bring in facilitating the global energy transition towards a sustainable future. Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation, is eager to collaborate with the Indian government and its partners to harness the full potential of SMRs in upcoming projects in the country.
A recent NITI Aayog report said, as many SMR designs were under various stages of research, development and licensing in different countries, global regulatory harmonisation, developing the manufacturing ecosystem and bringing in public as well as private capital would be the key for growth of the SMR industry. India’s G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant has also called for “unfettered access” to nuclear technology from the US to build small modular reactors (SMR) in the country.
Russia’s world’s first floating nuclear power plant in Pevek has demonstrated the potential of SMRs in providing clean energy solutions. The plant is not only providing round-the-clock power supply and round-the-year heat supply to the region, but also has the potential to revolutionize the energy transition to a sustainable future. India and other countries should take a cue from Russia and explore the potential of SMRs to make the clean energy transition.
