Russia - World Nuclear Outlook Report
Current operations
Russia had 34 operable reactors, with seven reactors under construction. Most of Russia’s reactors have been upgraded for long-term operation beyond their initial design lifetimes. Design operating lifetimes are around 30 years for most units, and these are generally extended by a further 15-30 years. The newer VVER-1200 reactors have 60-year design lifetimes.
The remaining RBMK units are expected to close by the mid-2030s, having been granted lifetime extensions to about 45 years. Smolensk 1 is licensed to 2027, and Leningrad 3&4 and Kursk 4 to 2030. The three remaining EGP-6 units at Bilibino closed in December 2025.
Table Ru.1 Nuclear capacity status (as of 1 October 2026)
| Operable reactors | Operable reactors net capacity (MWe) | Operable reactor gross capacity (MWe) | Reactors under construction | Reactors under construction gross capacity (MWe) | Carbon dioxide emissions avoided (cf. coal) (MtCO2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 27,969 | 29,795 | 7 | 5342 | 6029 |
Nuclear policy and outlook
In December 2024, the government approved the General Scheme for the Location of Electric Power Facilities to 2042, which targets a 24% nuclear share of electricity generation by 2042. In April 2025, the government approved the Energy Strategy of the Russian Federation to 2050. It targets a 25% nuclear share by 2045 and calls for the construction of 38 new nuclear power units.
Kursk II-1, the first VVER-TOI unit, was connected to the grid in December 2025 and entered commercial operation in May 2026.
Reactors under construction are:
- Kursk II units 2&3 (VVER-TOI)
- Leningrad II units 3&4 (VVER-1200)
- Seversk: BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor
- Cape Nagloynyn: two RITM-200S reactors for the first floating power unit supplying the Baimsky mining project
Construction began on Kursk II-2 in April 2019, the BREST-OD-300 in June 2021, the first floating power unit in August 2022, Leningrad II-3 and II-4 in March 2024 and March 2025, and Kursk II-3 in January 2026.
In July 2026, Rosatom said that projects for 18 new units at nine sites were at various stages of implementation.
The electricity shares expressed by the government assume that some reactors that are currently operable will shut down ahead of 2050. However, in the capacity projections below, reactors are assumed to operate for up to 80 years, in line with the general assumption in this report.
Table Ru.2 Contributions to total capacity projection in 2050 (gross)
| 60 year operation (MWe) | 80 year operation (MWe) | Currently under construction capacity (MWe) | Planned capacity (MWe) | Proposed capacity (MWe) | Potential capacity (MWe) | Government capacity target (MWe) | Additional capacity* required to meet government target (MWe) | Total capacity (MWe) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14,018 | 15,777 | 5342 | 21,000 | 754 | - | 67,647 (based on reactors planned to meet percentage share target, but without retirements) | 10,756 | 67,647 |
| *Capacity additional to operable, under construction, planned, proposed and potential capacities required to meet the government target. | ||||||||
Readiness Assessment
Russia has an established serial-build model, a largely domestic supply chain, multiple reactor technologies, extensive fuel cycle capabilities and a state-controlled institutional structure able to move projects from policy to construction.
| Country Category | Pacesetter |
|---|---|
| Policy Framework Readiness | High The 25% by 2045 objective is supported by an approved energy strategy and a detailed facility location scheme extending to 2042. |
| Institutional and Infrastructure Readiness | High Russia possesses an experienced operator, regulator, reactor vendor, construction organizations, fuel cycle facilities and extensive supply chain. |
| Programme & Project Development | High Serial VVER construction continues; the first VVER-TOI is operating and projects encompassing large and small reactors, including advanced designs, are progressing. |
| Target Achievability | Moderate-High The plan is feasible, but requires a significant acceleration in the pace of new build construction. |
