Blab Tech
Rosatom Expands Small Nuclear Power Portfolio Amid Growing Global Competition
Rosatom’s latest announcement signals a decisive push into the burgeoning small‑modular‑reactor (SMR) market, a field that has drawn renewed attention from governments and investors worldwide. In a feature for Strana Rosatom, CEO Alexey Likhachev revealed that the state‑owned nuclear firm will widen its product line by extending the production of its best‑selling RITM family, launching an on‑shore plant in Uzbekistan, and advancing a new microreactor called Shelf‑M for remote industrial use.
Likhachev’s message was clear: Russia remains the world leader in small nuclear power plants and will not wait for competitors. "As the world leaders in the field of small nuclear power plants, we are not sitting on our hands. And widening activities of the Americans only spur us to expand our product line," he wrote. The comment comes in the wake of the United States’ renewed push to re‑enter the international nuclear market with its own SMR programs.
The RITM line, which evolved from the KLT‑40 series that powered Russia’s nuclear‑icebreaker fleet, has become Rosatom’s flagship offering. The company currently has 13 RITM reactors operating on icebreakers and other vessels. A 14th unit has already been produced for a floating power station on the Baimskoye oil field, and a 15th reactor is in the final stage of production. In June, Rosatom began constructing a two‑unit on‑shore nuclear plant in Uzbekistan, positioning the project as a serial commercial solution rather than an experimental prototype. Reactors for the Uzbek units are already in production.
Beyond the RITM line, Rosatom is developing the Shelf‑M microreactor, a 10 MW electrical and 35 MW thermal unit designed for the Chukotka low‑power nuclear power plant (LPNPP). The plant will supply electricity to the Elkonsky mining and metallurgical company. Shelf‑M is slated for a 60‑year operational life. According to Likhachev, engineering surveys of the placement site have begun, the fuel‑testing phase is complete, and the investment documentation is close to finalization.
Rosatom’s expansion reflects a broader trend in the global nuclear industry. While the United States has announced plans to build several SMRs, Russia’s Rosatom has already deployed dozens of small reactors in a variety of settings—from icebreakers to floating power stations to on‑shore installations. The company’s focus on serial production and commercial deployment contrasts with the experimental status of many U.S. SMR projects, which are still in the design or prototype phase.
The firm’s strategy hinges on leveraging proven technology to meet diverse energy needs. RITM reactors use low‑enriched uranium and can be refueled every ten years, a reliability that has proven itself in harsh Arctic conditions. Shelf‑M’s long life and low output make it suitable for remote industrial sites that lack grid connectivity.
Rosatom’s announcements come at a time when several countries are revisiting nuclear options for low‑carbon energy. Uzbekistan’s new plant is part of a broader effort to diversify the country’s energy mix, while Russia’s continued investment in small reactors signals its intent to maintain a competitive edge in the emerging SMR market.
As of now, Rosatom’s portfolio includes 13 reactor installations for small nuclear power plants in various stages of manufacture. No regulatory approvals or court actions have been reported that would affect the timeline. The next steps for Rosatom will likely involve finalizing the Shelf‑M design, securing site permits for the Chukotka LPNPP, and completing construction of the Uzbek on‑shore plant. The company has not disclosed any upcoming funding rounds or partnership agreements related to these projects.
In summary, Rosatom is actively expanding its small nuclear power plant offerings, building on its established RITM line and adding new projects in Uzbekistan and the Russian Far East. By emphasizing serial commercial production and long‑term operational life, the company positions itself as a key player in the global SMR landscape.
Likhachev’s message was clear: Russia remains the world leader in small nuclear power plants and will not wait for competitors. "As the world leaders in the field of small nuclear power plants, we are not sitting on our hands. And widening activities of the Americans only spur us to expand our product line," he wrote. The comment comes in the wake of the United States’ renewed push to re‑enter the international nuclear market with its own SMR programs.
The RITM line, which evolved from the KLT‑40 series that powered Russia’s nuclear‑icebreaker fleet, has become Rosatom’s flagship offering. The company currently has 13 RITM reactors operating on icebreakers and other vessels. A 14th unit has already been produced for a floating power station on the Baimskoye oil field, and a 15th reactor is in the final stage of production. In June, Rosatom began constructing a two‑unit on‑shore nuclear plant in Uzbekistan, positioning the project as a serial commercial solution rather than an experimental prototype. Reactors for the Uzbek units are already in production.
Beyond the RITM line, Rosatom is developing the Shelf‑M microreactor, a 10 MW electrical and 35 MW thermal unit designed for the Chukotka low‑power nuclear power plant (LPNPP). The plant will supply electricity to the Elkonsky mining and metallurgical company. Shelf‑M is slated for a 60‑year operational life. According to Likhachev, engineering surveys of the placement site have begun, the fuel‑testing phase is complete, and the investment documentation is close to finalization.
Rosatom’s expansion reflects a broader trend in the global nuclear industry. While the United States has announced plans to build several SMRs, Russia’s Rosatom has already deployed dozens of small reactors in a variety of settings—from icebreakers to floating power stations to on‑shore installations. The company’s focus on serial production and commercial deployment contrasts with the experimental status of many U.S. SMR projects, which are still in the design or prototype phase.
The firm’s strategy hinges on leveraging proven technology to meet diverse energy needs. RITM reactors use low‑enriched uranium and can be refueled every ten years, a reliability that has proven itself in harsh Arctic conditions. Shelf‑M’s long life and low output make it suitable for remote industrial sites that lack grid connectivity.
Rosatom’s announcements come at a time when several countries are revisiting nuclear options for low‑carbon energy. Uzbekistan’s new plant is part of a broader effort to diversify the country’s energy mix, while Russia’s continued investment in small reactors signals its intent to maintain a competitive edge in the emerging SMR market.
As of now, Rosatom’s portfolio includes 13 reactor installations for small nuclear power plants in various stages of manufacture. No regulatory approvals or court actions have been reported that would affect the timeline. The next steps for Rosatom will likely involve finalizing the Shelf‑M design, securing site permits for the Chukotka LPNPP, and completing construction of the Uzbek on‑shore plant. The company has not disclosed any upcoming funding rounds or partnership agreements related to these projects.
In summary, Rosatom is actively expanding its small nuclear power plant offerings, building on its established RITM line and adding new projects in Uzbekistan and the Russian Far East. By emphasizing serial commercial production and long‑term operational life, the company positions itself as a key player in the global SMR landscape.
