Construction of port infrastructure for five floating NPPs (FNPPs) in Russia’s northeast Arctic Chukotka region may begin in 2023, Alexander Bengert, the newly appointed general director of FSUE Hydrographic Enterprise said in an interview with Strana Rosatom on 16 February. The Hydrographic Enterprise became part of Rosatom in 2019. The FNPPs will supply power to the Baim mining area in Chukotka.
"If an appropriate decision is made, in 2023 we will start construction of port infrastructure facilities at the Chukotka Nagleynyn Cape, where five FNPPs can be placed to supply power to the Baim ore zone. We are already actively participating in the development of the project," he said.
The Hydrographic Enterprise can construct berthing facilities and underwater hydraulic engineering for the terminal and mooring of FNPPs. Investments will amount to at least RUB20 billion ($271m).
Earlier reports said Rosatom proposed to supply electricity to the Baim ore zone using four modernised floating power units with a RITM-200 reactors and a backup FNPP to ensure cyclic replacement during refuelling and repair.
In addition, the back-up plant can be used to supply power to consumers of the Akademik Lomonosov FNPP when it is offline.
Bengert noted that a sequential commissioning of capacities is proposed. Two units will be commissioned no later than the fourth quarter of 2026. "The infrastructure for them needs to be built in a year and a half. If the project is approved, then the terminal will be fully operational by 2027," he said.
