Russia and China have reportedly signed an $86.5 million contract for the construction of the world’s first floating nuclear power plant.

According to Vladimir Uryvsky, deputy department head at the Federal Nuclear Energy Agency, China will build the body and Russia will be responsible for the 70 MW power block for the project, which will cost a total of around $209 million.

The plant, which is expected to be sited in Severodvinsk in the northern Arkhangelsk region, is to supply electricity and heat to the Sevmash defence complex.

Expected to look like a 140 m by 30 m floating building with a displacement of 21,000 tonnes, construction is due to begin next year and end in 2011.