Nuclear and Hydrogen Prospects for the Russian Arctic

Abstract

Since Russia joined the Paris Agreement in 2019, it has dramatically increased its focus on climate policies and started actively pursuing opportunities for an efficient low-carbon transition, both domestically and with the view of enhancing its export capabilities. The Russian Arctic Zone is deeply involved in this development, given its sizeable demand for clean energy, its large infrastructure potential, and the country’s capacities in civilian nuclear applications. Over the past few years, Russian companies have started the replacement of the nuclear icebreaker fleet and the construction of novel, floating nuclear power plants, to be deployed in various ports along the Arctic coast. In parallel, the authorities have issued a set of policy papers to create a strong national hydrogen industry, relying on the vast national resource base and R&D experience. State-owned and private corporations, as well as research institutions, evaluate various projects for hydrogen production (among others applying nuclear energy), domestic supply, and exports. Many of these are located in the Russian Arctic Zone, especially in the Murmansk District and the Yamal Peninsula. However, despite the positive potential, the buildup of both nuclear and hydrogen capacities requires that Russia makes dedicated efforts in industrial, technological, and foreign policies.