Rosatom Says It’s in Advanced Talks to Supply Floating Nuclear Power Plants to African Countries
At present, only one floating nuclear power plant is in operation globally, in Russia's remote Chukotka region.
Russia's state nuclear corporation, Rosatom, is reportedly engaged in advanced discussions with several African nations about supplying floating nuclear power plants, according to senior executives speaking at the Russia-Africa Summit. Vladimir Aptekarev, deputy head of Rosatom's machine-building division, stated that 38 out of Africa's more than 50 countries have coastlines suitable for hosting a Russian-made floating power unit.
Currently, only one floating nuclear power plant operates globally, located in Russia's remote Chukotka region since 2020. These floating plants utilize smaller reactors housed within a vessel, enabling them to be towed to a destination and requiring less infrastructure on land. Aptekarev added that such plants can swiftly provide a new energy source at a lower cost and serve as an initial step for a country to address its energy demands and become a part of the nuclear club.
Rosatom proposes implementing these projects through a power purchase agreement (PPA) model, with servicing and refueling conducted in Russia, allowing the unit to operate for up to 60 years. The corporation is currently constructing Egypt's El Dabaa nuclear power plant, which will be the second nuclear power station on the African continent, following South Africa's Koeberg plant.
Rosatom's CEO, Alexei Likhachev, confirmed ongoing advanced discussions regarding potential floating nuclear power plant projects with Egypt, Togo, Namibia, and Tanzania. Additionally, Rosatom is offering floating power units with a capacity of 100 megawatts and RITM-200M reactors designed for warm climates to international markets.
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