DEHUROEN

Plizio Visual Lab

Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
Industrial site
—°3
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)

Weather…

The Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is an engineering anomaly and holds the record as the northernmost nuclear power plant in the world. Built far beyond the Arctic Circle on permafrost, the facility began operations in 1974 to provide absolutely essential energy to the extremely remote but resource-rich mining region. A special feature of the power plant is its cogeneration capability: in addition to electricity, it also supplies district heating, without which survival in the town of Bilibino would be impossible during the months-long, icy winters. Featuring four small, specially developed EGP-6 reactor units, it is also the smallest nuclear power plant in Russia in terms of total capacity. As the facility has reached the end of its planned operational life, a gradual decommissioning process has been initiated, with its role set to be taken over in the future by the floating nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov, moored in the nearby port of Pevek.

Explore on the map

How well do you know Russia?

Find cities, landscapes and regions in 10 varied challenges on the interactive map.

Start the map quiz 10 challenges

Your journey, your memory

A postcard from Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant

Turn your own photo into a personal postcard with a local stamp. Free and no sign-up required.

Create a postcard

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C-31-30-22-13-291181-11-22-29
Rain mm161416172958897051352521

📋 Practical info

🏭
What is this place?
The Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant is the world's northernmost nuclear power plant, located in the remote Chukotka region. It supplies both electricity and heat to the town of Bilibino, making it essential for the local community's survival.
🚪
Visiting
The plant is not open to the public, as it is located in a remote and security-critical area. Bilibino is essentially a closed town; visitors need a special permit from Russian authorities.
👀
Where to view it
The best view of the plant is from the hill above the town of Bilibino, where the reactor dome is visible. From the road to Pevek, you also get a distant view of the facility.
🧺
Local products
In Bilibino, there are no direct consumer products from the nuclear plant. Local markets offer traditional Chukchi handicrafts such as fur and ivory carvings.
📆
Active season
The plant operates at full capacity year-round, especially during the extremely cold winter months when heat demand is highest. Maintenance work is carried out during the short summers.
➕
Nearby
A visit to Bilibino can be combined with an expedition into the Chukotka wilderness, known for its arctic landscape and wildlife. The town of Pevek and the coast of the Chukchi Sea are also reachable.

Geography

Coordinates
68.05000, 166.45000

Facts

  • Northernmost NPP
  • Chukotka region
  • Built on permafrost
  • Smallest nuclear plant in Russia

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
Motorhome dimensions

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (3)

Kraevedcheskii muzei🏛 museum

Bilibino's local history museum details the region's gold mining heritage and the development of the nearby nuclear power plant.

Orbita🌿 nature

Situated in Bilibino, this viewpoint provides sweeping views of the surrounding Kolyma mountains and the remote town's industrial infrastructure.

Dom kul'tury🎭 culture

Serving as Bilibino's cultural hub, this theater hosts local performances and community events in the extreme northern climate.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant?
It is the northernmost nuclear power plant in the world, located in the remote Chukotka region.
Can one see the plant as a tourist?
No, Bilibino is a closed area and the power plant is a militarily protected zone with no tourist access.
Why is the Bilibino plant so important?
It supplies power and heat to the remote mining region in the Russian Arctic.
Is the area around Bilibino attractive to tourists?
The region is only suitable for very experienced expedition tourists due to extreme cold and difficult infrastructure.
How does one get to Chukotka?
Travel is only possible by plane from larger cities like Magadan or Moscow.
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant: where is it located?
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant is located in Russia.
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant: what is there to see?
Highlights include Kraevedcheskii muzei, Orbita, Dom kul'tury.
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant: why is it worth visiting?
The Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant in the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug is an engineering anomaly and holds the record as the northernmost nuclear power plant in the world.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Russia →

Nearby cities

Novosibirsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Novosibirsk
Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia and the administrative center of Siberia.
Yekaterinburg — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Yekaterinburg
Yekaterinburg is located on the eastern slopes of the Ural Mountains and marks the geographical border between Europe and Asia.
Omsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Omsk
Omsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia, located at the confluence of the Irtysh and Om rivers.
Krasnoyarsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Krasnoyarsk
Krasnoyarsk is located on the banks of the Yenisei River and is one of the oldest cities in Siberia.
Perm — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Perm
Perm is located on the banks of the Kama River in the European part of Russia, near the Ural Mountains.
🗺️
Tyumen
Tyumen was the first Russian city in Siberia and today serves as a major hub for the country's oil and gas industry.
Barnaul — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Barnaul
Barnaul is the administrative center of Altai Krai in southern West Siberia.
Irkutsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Irkutsk
Irkutsk is one of the largest cities in Siberia, located near Lake Baikal.
Khabarovsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Khabarovsk
Khabarovsk is located in the Russian Far East at the confluence of the Amur and Ussuri rivers, near the Chinese border.
Vladivostok — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Vladivostok
Vladivostok is the most important Russian port on the Pacific Ocean and the terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway.
🗺️
Tomsk
Tomsk is one of the oldest cities in Siberia and a major scientific center.
Kemerovo — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Kemerovo
Kemerovo is a significant industrial center in the Kuznetsk Basin (Kuzbass) in Siberia.
🗺️
Ulan-Ude
Ulan-Ude is the capital of the Republic of Buryatia in eastern Siberia.
Arkhangelsk — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Arkhangelsk
Arkhangelsk is located in northern Russia at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River into the White Sea.
Chita — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Chita
Chita is located in eastern Siberia at the confluence of the Chita and Ingoda rivers.

History & landmarks

Veliky Ustyug — Bilibino Nuclear Power Plant (Russia)
Veliky Ustyug
An ancient northern Russian town, known as the official home of Father Frost and for its delicate silver niello craftsmanship.