Nornickel and the State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom (Russia) will consider the possibility of setting up low-capacity Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) to supply energy to the Norilsk Industrial District. The agreement of intent and cooperation to build small nuclear power plants has been signed by Nornickel’s President Vladimir Potanin and Rosatom’s Director General Alexey Likhachev.
Isolated from the Unified Energy System of Russia, the Norilsk Industrial District’s energy system needs to meet enhanced reliability requirements. With its strategic development plans, Nornickel is looking into potential options to construct new generating capacities, considering small power plants as one of the viable pathways.
Rosatom actively focuses on small nuclear power plant projects that can meet the decentralised energy needs of remote territories in the north of Russia. Under the new agreement, the two companies will evaluate potential options, identify a priority site to host the onshore NPP, its configuration and infrastructure required for the plant construction and operation, and will also agree on the best model to implement the project.
Commenting on the decision, Vladimir Potanin said, “Nornickel and the Norilsk Industrial District are both evolving, which means that we will need more power beyond 2030. A nuclear power plant is a possible solution, with its safe energy and minimised environmental impact. By joining forces with Rosatom, Nornickel will have access to cutting-edge energy technologies, while the state corporation will be able to promote the use of low-capacity nuclear power plants in remote Russian regions.”
