The Russian government is planning to build a $2.2 billion metals plant in the Far East to supply steel sheet to the Zvezda Shipyards as part of its development efforts in the Arctic, Reuters reported Nov. 25, citing Public Joint Stock Company Rosneft Oil Co. CEO Igor Sechin.

The proposed operation in the Sukhodol Bay region would produce 1.5 million tonnes of steel sheet and steel pipe products per year, Sechin reportedly said in a televised meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Sechin asked Putin to help the project by supporting the construction of roads and accommodation for the development, which would involve about 1,500 workers.

The Zvezda shipbuilding complex is run by a consortium of Rosneft, OJSC Rosneftegaz and AO Gazprombank. The first stage of the facility is online, and construction of the entire complex is expected to be finished in 2024.