Russia is moving to build a sea-based nuclear power plant for the first time in the world.

According to government sources, the plant is expected to be set up in waters off the port city of Severodvinsk in northwest Russia at a total construction cost of 180 million dollars.

Experts say the envisaged 70 megawatt-capacity plant would supply electricity to fifty-thousand people in the northern part of the country, which has been suffering from severe power shortages.

The facility is also anticipated to be used for desalination activities to address the ongoing shortage of drinkable water in southern Russia.