Russia Progresses With First Land-Based SMR

Construction of worker camps and a new road is underway in Yakutia for Rosenergoatom's small modular reactor (SMR) project. The reactor, designated as the operating organization, is a compact water-cooled RITM-200N 55 MWe unit adapted from Russia’s latest icebreakers. It will be built near Ust-Kuyga with commissioning scheduled for 2028. The project aims to make Yakutia the first region in Russia to have its own electricity, addressing the nation’s energy gaps in the Arctic.

Rosatom has secured permits and is progressing with preparatory work, including the construction of worker camps and road development. The first camp for 250 workers is complete, and the second for 683 has begun, expected to finish by late 2024. Extraction of local materials and infrastructure installation are also underway. The floating NPP, Akademik Lomonosov, supplies power to the region, replacing aging plants and supporting mineral projects.

Rosatom plans to expand its land-based SMR projects, with the ASMM at the forefront. The company aims to capture up to 20% of the global ASMM market by 2030, as part of its broader strategy to diversify Russia’s energy sources. This initiative reflects a strategic national priority for the Arctic, ensuring self-sufficiency without relying on distant power plants.