Floating Nuclear Power: Rosatom’s First Export Project Could Inspire Namibia to Explore New Options

By Tueripura Mundingi|

Rosatom and an Indonesian national owned company named PT Pembangkit Listrik Nuklir have reached an agreement to supply electricity generated by floating nuclear power units to consumers in North Maluku, Eastern Indonesia.

The agreement was signed on the sidelines of Russian Energy Week (REW) in Moscow on 16 October 2026, marking a breakthrough for floating nuclear technology in the international energy market.

Under the project, Rosatom plans to deploy two FPU-100 floating nuclear power units, each equipped with RITM-200M reactors and providing 100 MW of electrical capacity. They are designed to provide industry and population centres in coastal areas with a continuous supply of low-carbon electricity, regardless of weather conditions.

Deliveries could begin as early as five years after the key terms of the electricity supply contract come into effect.

“Cooperation between Rosatom and Indonesia is progressing rapidly. Our recent meeting with President Prabowo Subianto reaffirmed that this world’s largest island nation is consistently pursuing a course toward strengthening energy security and achieving carbon neutrality,” commented Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev.

“Our new agreement marks a major milestone in this effort. Rosatom is ready to offer the most advanced and proven technological solutions available on the global market. We are discussing much more than electricity supplies. We are laying the foundation for a long-term partnership.

“I would like to emphasise the historic significance of this milestone – the world’s first-ever export agreement for electricity supply from a floating power unit. I am convinced that this will send a strong signal to the global business community: with systematic government support, the private sector is actively taking the lead in initiating nuclear infrastructure projects capable of transforming the country’s economy.”

“Leading Indonesia’s energy transition is our foremost objective and responsibility as a national investor,” stated Indonesian Nuclear Scientist and Director of PT Pembangkit Listrik Nuklir Yudi Utomo Imardjoko.

“We firmly believe that providing our people with clean, reliable, and carbon-free electricity is essential to securing Indonesia’s long-term energy future. Nuclear power offers a sustainable solution to meet our nation’s growing energy demands while supporting economic development, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.

“It is important to emphasise that this project is structured entirely as a business-to-business (B2B) initiative, driven by private-sector investment without reliance on funding from Indonesia’s State Budget (APBN). We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to advance this historic partnership and sincerely appreciate the continued support of the Indonesian Government, particularly the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Russia, in facilitating this important milestone.”

The Indonesian project builds on Rosatom’s operational experience with floating nuclear technology. Since 2020, the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant, equipped with KLT-40S reactors, has been operating in Chukotka in Russia’s Far East.

The new generation of floating power units will use RITM-series reactors, which are already deployed aboard Russian nuclear-powered icebreakers. Compared with the previous generation, these reactors offer greater power output, a more compact design and longer intervals between refuelling.

Namibia’s efforts to diversify its electricity supply, expand domestic generation and reduce reliance on imports provide a relevant context for considering the technology behind Rosatom’s Indonesian agreement.

Floating nuclear power could be assessed as a long-term option for supplying coastal industries and supporting the electricity requirements of the mining sector.

A modular approach would allow capacity to be added in 100 MW increments, according to demand and grid requirements, rather than requiring a commitment to a single large generating facility.

The development of the nuclear sector extends beyond electricity generation to include uranium resource development. Rosatom is already active in Namibia’s uranium sector through Headspring Investments, an affiliate of its subsidiary Uranium One Group. Headspring is developing the Wings Project near Leonardville in the Omaheke Region, about 300 km from Windhoek.

Currently at the exploration and pre-feasibility stage, the project is evaluating a sandstone-type uranium deposit for in-situ recovery (ISR), with a pilot test subject to regulatory approval. It aims to create skilled jobs and support regional development while maintaining high environmental and safety standards.

In the photo: A floating nuclear vessel.