OPK: The first floating nuclear power plant construction
- By Christopher Smith -
On May 18, 2009 the first floating nuclear power plant was set in, in St. Petersburg (Russia). The contract, signed by OPK and “Concern Energoatom” PLC on February 27, 2009, anticipated the construction, launching, rebuilding and testing of the power plant. The exploitation of the head floating power-generating unit, with KLT-40C type reactor, is the final step of this project. According to the contract, the construction of the floating power-generating unit started on February 27th, 2009. By the II quarter of 2012 it is due to be completed. In the IV quarter of 2012, after testing, it will be operating.
The global economic crisis favors the FNPP construction because of the increased energy demand. The cost for kW per hour equals to the hydro-power station, therefore the exploitation of such a particular plant will be much in demand both in industrial and developing regions. The possibility to convey these plants is of great value, as different regions have diverging needs for electric energy.
Russia is the first country to build a floating nuclear power plant. Similar projects have existed in other countries, but their realization was never adopted. One of the designers of the “Iceberg” design bureau evoked the idea of the utilization of such particular plants.
The first FNPP will be finalized by 2012, to be set in service in Kamchatka in the port of Viluchinsk.
A lot states such as the USA, China, India, Japan, France and Iran have global programs for the development of nuclear power engineering. According to IAEA data, the demand for atomic energy will globally soar by 66% by 2030. Russia has a great chance to supply a new competitive product to the global market. Up until now there is no equivalent in the world.