Tuesday, November 19, 2002
Russia to build floating nuclear plants
Press Trust of India Moscow, November 19
Russia is to launch the construction of the world's first floating nuclear power plants, a unique project which should supply much-needed energy to its remotest regions but has aroused concern among environmental groups. The plan, unveiled by Russian scientists earlier this year, should see work begin in 2003 at the Sevmash plant at Severodvinsk in northwestern Russia which normally turns out nuclear submarine engines, said Yevgeny Kuzin, the head of the Malaya Energetika company developing the project.
While the first floating plant will not be ready for at least five years, three Arctic and far eastern regions, Arkhangelsk, Chukotka and Kamchatka, have already declared an interest and signed letters of intent with Malaya Enegertika, Kuzin added.
With winter temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius, these regions are desperate for energy to supply their residents with power and heating. They lack the financial resources to purchase sufficient amounts of fuel or coal, and building full-scale nuclear power plants in such remote areas is not a realistic option.
The idea instead is to tow floating nuclear "micro-power plants" off their coasts where they will operate, providing power and heating via to cables linking them to the mainland for a planned duration of 40 years.
The first floating plant should start operating off the port of Severodvinsk, near Arkhangelsk, providing the region with energy. While each plant will cost $150 million, Kuzin said this option was much more economical than building a full-scale nuclear plant and added that construction would also take less time.
© Hindustan Times Ltd. 2002. Reproduction in any form is prohibited without prior permission To send your feedback, via web click here or email feedback at hindustantimes.com