Episode 6 of the Nuclear Webinar Series: Floating Power Unit (FPUs) as an Effective Solution to Global Energy Supply Challenge

Speakers:

Mr. Vladimir Aptekarev, Deputy Director General for Floating Energy Solutions, Mechanical Engineering Division, ROSATOM

Mr. Tim Fleming, Director, Project Development & Financing Asia, Rosatom

Moderator: Datuk NK Tong, Group Managing Director of Bukit Kiara Capital

The webinar explored Floating Nuclear Power Units (FPUs) as a practical and scalable solution for delivering clean, reliable baseload power to coastal, remote, and industrial regions. The discussion positioned nuclear energy not only as a net-zero enabler, but as a critical stabilising force for electricity systems increasingly dependent on intermittent renewable energy.

Mr. Tim opened by highlighting Rosatom’s unique position as a global leader with end-to-end nuclear capabilities ranging from uranium mining to decommissioning. He emphasised that the company holds over 90% of the export market share and is currently active in 10 countries. This set the stage for Mr. Vladimir’s detailed presentation on the Akademik Lomonosov, the world’s only operational floating nuclear power plant. With a capacity of 100 MW, the plant supplies both electricity and heat to an isolated grid in Russia’s Far East, enabling the retirement of coal plants and significant improvements in local air quality. The technology builds on over 60 years of nuclear marine engineering experience, including Russia’s nuclear icebreaker fleet.

The FPU-100 model is designed for international deployment and offers modular scalability, allowing multiple units that can be installed in phases as demand increases. FPUs require minimal onshore infrastructure and are delivered under a “nuclear battery” service model, where Rosatom owns and operates the plant under long-term power purchase agreements. Maintenance, refuelling, and radioactive waste management are handled through a rotational barge system and centralised in Russia, reducing regulatory and operational burdens for host countries.

Mr. Vladimir also highlighted FPUs’ role in supporting net-zero goals, stabilising grids with high renewable penetration, and enabling industrial growth that requires 24/7 power, such as mining and data centres. He concluded by positioning FPUs as a scalable, low-carbon, baseload solution that complements renewables, supports economic development, and contributes to long-term energy security and sustainability.

The Q&A session covered the technical maturity, regulatory viability, and commercial readiness of FPUs for countries such as Malaysia, positioning them as a turnkey “nuclear battery” solution delivered by Rosatom under long-term power purchase agreements with full lifecycle responsibility covering fuel, operations, maintenance, and waste management. The 100 MW FPU-100 was highlighted as the optimal modular unit, scalable through multiple co-located FPUs, requiring minimal onshore infrastructure, and offering redeployment flexibility at contract end, while regulatory pathways were described as manageable through dual nuclear and maritime oversight, particularly for countries with existing nuclear research capabilities.

Cost discussions noted that although FPUs have higher per-MW costs than large nuclear plants, they are competitive with LNG and significantly cheaper than diesel generation especially when deployed at scale or through regional aggregation while supporting local employment via onshore operations alongside centrally certified reactor crews. Safety systems were emphasised as meeting post-Fukushima standards, incorporating multiple containment barriers, passive fail-safe features, and centralised fuel and waste handling, resulting in extremely low incident probabilities.

The session concluded with reflections on the highly engaged and knowledgeable audience and a clear message that floating nuclear power and broader nuclear technologies are no longer a future concept but an active and expanding solution to global energy needs. FPUs were highlighted as a practical way to deliver reliable, 24/7 baseload power essential for growing industries such as data centres and AI, while supporting decarbonisation, economic growth, and energy security. Mr. Vladimir emphasised that the global nuclear renaissance is already underway and urged Malaysia to move forward decisively on regulatory readiness and public advocacy, stressing that nuclear energy should be part of an “all-of-the-above” energy mix and that delayed action risks leaving the country behind as global demand and project pipelines continue to accelerate.

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