Russia has secured a landmark agreement with Indonesia to supply electricity from floating nuclear power units, opening a new international market for its compact nuclear energy technology. The parties have described the agreement as the world’s first export agreement for electricity generated by a floating nuclear power unit. Rosatom, the state nuclear corporation of Russia, will provide two 100-megawatt floating power units to serve North Halmahera in Indonesia’s North Maluku region.
The agreement with Indonesian company PT Pembangkit Listrik Nuklir, which was signed in Moscow in October 2026, is a major development in Russia’s strategy to export nuclear-generated electricity through floating power plants, rather than exclusively relying on the construction of conventional nuclear power stations. Indonesian consumers are expected to receive their first electricity supply from the project within five years of the principal conditions of the electricity supply contract becoming effective. The project will have a combined generating capacity of 200 MW.
The agreement is of particular importance because it introduces a commercial model that could potentially expand access to reliable, low-carbon power in geographically challenging locations by allowing a floating nuclear facility to provide long-term electricity to a foreign market.
Two 100 MW Floating Nuclear Power Units for Indonesia
Rosatom will deploy two PEB-100 floating nuclear power units to supply electricity to the northern region of Halmahera, an island in eastern Indonesia, in accordance with the agreement. The units will employ the RITM-200M reactor technology, an advanced reactor design modified to operate in warm climatic conditions and specifically designed for floating nuclear power generation.
Two RITM-200M reactor installations are used to generate 100 MW of electricity in each PEB-100. The design is part of a larger family of compact Russian reactors that were originally developed for marine applications and have since been adapted for use in land-based and floating nuclear power projects.
In contrast to a conventional nuclear power station, which necessitates a permanent land-based site and a substantial supporting infrastructure, a transportable nuclear power unit can be located near industrial facilities and coastal communities with appropriate maritime access. This configuration could be especially advantageous for Indonesia, where the establishment of a unified electricity transmission network is complicated by the presence of thousands of islands.
The floating units are designed to deliver uninterrupted electricity regardless of fluctuations in weather conditions. Their potential applications include the provision of electricity to residential communities, industrial facilities, and remote locations where the expansion of conventional power infrastructure may be costly or challenging.
A Fully Commercial Project Backed by Private Investment
The financing structure of the agreement is one of its most critical components. The project will be executed on a business-to-business basis, using private investment rather than the state budget of Indonesia. This method differentiates the agreement from government-funded infrastructure initiatives and illustrates how floating nuclear electricity supply could be transformed into a commercial service in international energy markets.
Additionally, the commercial agreement affords Rosatom the chance to show whether floating nuclear generation can serve as a viable long-term energy solution beyond Russia. Its success will be contingent upon the final contractual arrangements, construction and deployment schedules, licensing requirements, operating costs, and the price at which electricity can be supplied.
The regulatory framework for floating nuclear power plants has been the subject of discussion among Indonesia’s nuclear regulator. Coordination between nuclear regulators, maritime authorities, and electricity-sector institutions is necessary for the deployment of a floating nuclear facility, necessitating preparations regarding licensing, nuclear safety supervision, and legal requirements.
Why Indonesia Is Looking at Nuclear Energy
Compact nuclear power is an appealing alternative for certain components of Indonesia’s energy system due to the country’s geography and the increasing demand for electricity. The nation is confronted with the challenge of increasing electricity generation while simultaneously providing services to communities and industries that are dispersed across a vast archipelago, as its population approaches 300 million.
Indonesia included nuclear power in its national energy planning in 2025, as it saw it as a potential contributor to long-term energy security and its objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. Nuclear generation has the potential to supply reliable electricity in conjunction with renewable sources, thereby reducing dependence on fossil fuels and accommodating the growing demands of urban and industrial areas.
Rosatom has suggested a two-step strategy for the development of Indonesia’s nuclear industry. In the first phase, small nuclear power facilities, such as floating units that could provide electricity to coastal and island communities, would be implemented. The second stage may entail the construction of conventional land-based nuclear power stations with larger reactors, which would enable Indonesia to increase its nuclear generation as its infrastructure, regulatory capabilities, and electricity demand increase.
Later, the floating power units could be viewed as a first step toward a more comprehensive nuclear energy initiative, rather than a standalone electricity project. Nevertheless, the rate of expansion will be contingent upon the Indonesian government’s long-term energy policy, infrastructure development, financing, and regulatory approvals.
The Operational Experience of Russia with Floating Nuclear Power
Russia enters the Indonesian project with practical experience in floating nuclear generation. Since 2020, the Akademik Lomonosov floating nuclear power plant has been operational in Pevek, Chukotka. The remote Arctic region is supplied with electricity and heat by the facility, which is equipped with two KLT-40S reactors.
The plant has proven that nuclear generation can be seamlessly integrated into a floating platform that serves a location where conventional infrastructure presents significant challenges. Russia’s endeavors to commercialize newer floating power unit designs for international consumers are informed by its operational experience.
Rosatom is also in the process of developing more compact nuclear power solutions. A small nuclear power plant initiative is being pursued by Russia in Uzbekistan, which is based on RITM-200N reactor technology. In the interim, the organization is in the process of building a series of PEB-106 floating power units that are equipped with RITM-200S reactors for a significant copper mining cluster in the Chukotka region of Russia. The objective of that initiative is to ensure that energy-intensive industrial operations in a remote area have consistent access to electricity.
This portfolio of nuclear technologies is being developed by Russia for various markets, including large conventional power stations and compact reactors that are specifically designed for industrial sites and isolated communities. These initiatives exemplify the objectives of this initiative.