On May 18, 2009, a new direction in the nuclear-power-generation industry was launched at St. Petersburg, as Russian scientists and engineers began the construction of the very first on-water nuclear power plant in the world.

The two-reactor vessel, imitating the design of an icebreaker, is now being built at Russia’s Baltiyskiy Plant. 

The station is expected to be operational by the year 2012. The government’s plan is to construct eight such vessels. The floating nuclear power station could be located in any area close to the coast of Russia’s northern regions. The lifespan of the nuclear power plant is estimated to be 40 years. 

Even though the on-water atomic station is a completely Russian project, foreign nuclear industry experts have indicated interests in supporting the endeavor.