Russia strengthens small modular reactor production capability

Russia is strengthening its small modular reactor (SMR) manufacturing capability as Rosatom’s ZiO-Podolsk plant completes the second RITM-200S reactor for a floating nuclear power unit that will supply electricity to a major copper mining project in the remote Chukotka region.

The reactor, built for the PEB-106 floating power unit, has successfully passed hydraulic tests designed to verify its reliability. It has also undergone control assembly, confirming that its components and systems fit together precisely according to design specifications.

PEB-106 will feature two RITM-200S reactors. The first was manufactured in May 2026 and has already been delivered to the shipyard for installation in the vessel’s hull.

The RITM-200S belongs to the RITM-200 family of compact marine reactors developed for Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet. Its relatively compact design and high-power output have also opened the way for its use in floating nuclear power plants and other small modular nuclear power applications.

The technology is particularly suited to remote regions, where establishing conventional power infrastructure can be challenging. Floating nuclear units can provide a continuous supply of electricity to industrial facilities and communities without relying on weather-dependent generation.

Russia has already gained operational experience with the technology. Since 2020, Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s first floating nuclear power plant, has been operating in Chukotka.

Rosatom has so far manufactured 16 RITM reactor units, with eight operating aboard the nuclear icebreakers Arktika, Ural, Sibir and Yakutia. Another 12 units are currently at various stages of production.