China Halts Plan To Build Floating Nuclear Power Plan In The South China Sea Over Security Fears

Computerised images show a proposed dock-based floating nuclear power plant. Photo: National Energy Offshore Nuclear Power Platform Technology Research Centre  

SCMP: China suspends plan to build floating nuclear reactors in the South China Sea 

* Final approval has been withheld for a mega platform intended to power remote islands and infrastructure in the region 

* After 10 years in development, ‘safety and feasibility’ remain top concerns for authorities, project scientists say 

The future of an ambitious Chinese plan to build a fleet of nuclear power reactors that would float on the waters of the South China Sea remained uncertain after authorities expressed security concerns, according to engineers involved in the project. 

With construction ready to begin, regulators have withheld final approval to build the nation’s first floating nuclear power plant, which was intended to generate electricity for critical marine infrastructure, some of it far from the mainland. “Floating nuclear power plants have various natural advantages and the technology to build them is ready. 

Both China National Nuclear Corporation and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation have been actively conducting research and development work. However, construction of China’s first floating nuclear power plant demonstration project has yet to be approved,” said a team led by senior engineer Wang Donghui from the National Energy Offshore Nuclear Power Platform Technology Research Centre. 

“Safety and feasibility are still the main concerns of the regulatory authorities,” Wang and his colleagues said in a paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Nuclear Power Engineering on May 25.  

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China Halts Plan To Build Floating Nuclear Power Plan In The South China Sea Over Security Fears  

China halts floating nuclear power plan over security fears -- Global Construction Review 

China suspends plans to build floating NPP after Nord Stream explosions — newspaper -- TASS 

China delays nuclear plan over sabotage fears – media -- RT