"The construction of the first such power unit with 70 MW capacity was started this year, and should be completed by 2010. The plant is most likely to operate in Severodvinsk [in Russia's Arkhangelsk Region]. Its launch is planned for 2011," Nikolai Kiselyov said.
"A floating NPP is a new product on the global market, and I hope it will be in demand," he said.
Russia started building the plant at the Arctic port of Severodvinsk in April, and is expected to build another six NPPs of its kind within a decade.
Earlier a Russian nuclear official said over 20 countries were interested in buying Russia's floating nuclear power plants. The NPPs are expected to be widely used in remote regions with power shortfalls, and also in the implementation of projects requiring stand-alone and uninterrupted electricity supplies in the absence of a developed power grid.
The second floating NPP could be built near the Russky Island in the Primorye Territory in Russia's Far East in 2011. The region may host an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in August 2012. If Vladivostok does not host the summit, the NPP could be placed in Peveka, in the remote northeastern Chukotka Autonomous Area.
The first floating nuclear power plant will have capacity of 70 MW of electricity, and about 300 MW of thermal power.
The cost of the first plant is estimated at 10 billion rubles ($400 million), but could later be reduced to 6 billion rubles ($240 million).
