- 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.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- With winter temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Celsius,
these regions are desperate for energy to supply their residents with power
and heating.
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- 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.
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- 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.
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- The first floating plant should start operating off the
port of Severodvinsk, near Arkhangelsk, providing the region with energy.
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- 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.
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- http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_105122,0005.htm
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