Floating nuclear power stations raise spectre of Chernobyl at sea

Russia has begun to build the world’s first floating nuclear power plant despite warnings from environmentalists that it risks creating a disaster.

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The Sevmash plant, which will produce the floating power plants, is the largest shipbuilding complex in Russia, employing more than 25,000 people. Most of its contracts have been for nuclear submarines.

The first vessel will be towed to a bay off the northern White Sea port of Severodvinsk in 2010 to supply electricity to nearby defence facilities. The far-eastern regions of Kamchatka and Chukotka, which are governed by Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea Football Club, are in line for other vessels.

The atomic energy agency said that at least 12 countries were also interested in buying floating nuclear plants. China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria and Argentina have all been mentioned as potential buyers.

The floating plants are backed by President Putin as part of a programme to raise the proportion of Russian electricity generation from nuclear power from 17 per cent to 25 per cent. They can operate for up to 15 years without refuelling and have an expected working life of 40 years before being towed back to the production yard for decommissioning.

The Times