Floating Nuclear Power Plants Could Supply Clean Power To Greek Islands, Study Suggests

Miniature floating nuclear power plants (FNPP) could supply power to the Greek islands and also decarbonise the non-interconnected islands, suggests a study by the Deon Policy Institute, ABS, Core Power, and Athlos Energy.

In a floating nuclear power plant installation, one or more reactors are integrated into a floating platform or a vessel designed to produce electricity, heat, and potable water through desalination.

Such plants are powered by small modular reactors, which have a limited capacity and can be easily transported to deployment sites.

The Deon Policy Institute said that the extensive coastline and the geography of Greece favour this type of installation, allowing the generation of electricity without using vast amounts of land or competing with the agricultural or housing sectors.

The installation can support port-electrification and coastal hubs without putting strain on the electricity grid. The setup can even be relocated if needed.

The institute also mentioned that Greece already has the regulatory expertise and technical capacity to support floating nuclear power plants.

The concept of floating nuclear power plants is not new, and the Russian FNPP Akademik Lomonosov has been operational since 2019.

The study also highlights that FNPPs are not a theoretical option for Greece and can become a reality if policy, regulatory, financial and social foundations are needed for responsible assessment are put in place, said George Laskaris, president of the Deon Policy Institute.

It also claimed that this technology is mature and commercially credible, and the only thing needed is institutional preparedness and gaining public confidence for the endeavour.

“The real challenge before us is integration into policy and regulatory frameworks, and ABS is committed to helping the industry navigate that path,” said Patrick Ryan, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer.