Russia

As of 31 December 2022

There are 37 operable reactors in Russia, with the majority in the west of the country. An additional three reactors are under construction: two VVER-1200 units at the Kursk power plant, and a demonstration lead-cooled fast reactor, BREST-OD-300, in Seversk.

As of June 2023, a total of 19 VVER reactors were under construction outside of Russia in Turkey (4), Iran (1), India (4), Slovakia (1), Bangladesh (2), China (4) and Egypt (3).

Domestic progress has also been made with the second generation of floating nuclear power plants, known as Optimized Floating Power Units (OFPUs), which use two RITM-200M reactors derived from those for the latest icebreakers. In early September 2022 Atomenergomash signified the start of construction of the first four OFPUs through a keel laying ceremony.

Russia is also proceeding with the development of the third-generation LK-60 nuclear-powered icebreakers under Project 22220 for use in the Western Arctic year-round and in the eastern Arctic in summer and autumn. The first three icebreakers in the fleet – Arktika, Sibir and Ural – are already operating in Russia’s northern sea route. There are currently two icebreakers – Yakutia and Chukotka – under construction and in February 2023 an agreement was signed between Baltic Shipyard and Atomflot for the construction of two more nuclear-powered icebreakers.

Figure Ru1. Annual electricity output (TWh) and age of reactors (years) at time of generation

Figure Ru2. Average capacity factor of reactors in Russia

Figure Ru3. Emissions avoidance through use of nuclear generation in Russia

WNN Links

Russian fast reactor upgrade work completed : World Nuclear News - 2 November 2022

Rosatom outlines future plans at meeting with Russian PM : World Nuclear News - 31 January 2023