Dive Summary:

• The technology is 50 years in the making, inspired by ice-breaking ships equipped with nuclear reactors. Now, Russia is set to launch the world’s first floating power plant in 2016 to provide energy and heat to far-flung regions in the country’s high north and far east.
• The floating plant comprises a 21, 500-ton vessel with two KLT-40 naval propulsion reactors providing 70 MW of electricity or 300 MW of heat. Russia plans to mass-produce the plants which require a crew of 69 people and non-self propelled towing to its destination.
• One floating plant can power a remote city, industrial area or an offshore oil and gas platform in addition to being modified as a desalination plant, producing 240,000 cubic meters of fresh water daily. A total of 15 countries, including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Algeria, Namibia, Cape Verde and Argentina, have expressed interest in getting the floating power plant.

From the article:

“The vessels are said to be safe for the environment as they don’t release any hazardous substances during operation…”