Russian floating nuclear power plant on way to Norwegian Sea

nuclear power plantThe floating nuclear power plant, the 'Akademik Lomonosov', is towed out of the St. Petersburg shipyard where it was constructed in St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, April 28, 2018. The Akademik Lomonosov is to be loaded with nuclear fuel in Murmansk, then towed to position in the Far East in 2019. (AP Photo/Dmitri Lovetsky)

The floating Russian nuclear power plant Akademik Lomonosov has left the port in St. Petersburg. The power plant is to be transported past the Norwegian coast and on to Murmansk.

 

In Murmansk, nuclear fuel will be taken on board before its journey proceeds to the northeast coast of Siberia. Here, the nuclear power plant will supply power to a port city and several oil rigs.

The Norwegian authorities were strongly critical of the Russian plans last year to drag the nuclear power plant past the Norwegian coast. Following talks between Norwegian and Russian authorities, it was agreed that nuclear power should not be taken on board the plant before it was reached Murmansk.

Vulnerable areas
The news agency AP announced on Saturday that the vessel had left the shipyard where it was built in St. Petersburg and that it will be towed through the Baltic Sea on its way to the Norwegian coast.

Aftenposten had earlier written that Norwegian authorities were assured that the power plant will not be towed but transported by heavy-duty vessels.

After taking onboard nuclear fuel in Murmansk, the power plant will be transported through vulnerable arctic areas. The environmental movement is critical to the project, and Greenpeace has called Akademik Lomonosov «a floating Chernobyl».

– Worried about accidents
Bellona, an environmental NGO, is worried about what can happen on the way from Murmansk to Pevek in the east of the Arctic region of Russia.

“We are concerned that nuclear reactor accidents can occur in these harsh areas where it will be difficult to provide technical assistance in case of an accident,” says Bellona’s Managing Director, Nils Bøhmer.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today

1 Comment on "Russian floating nuclear power plant on way to Norwegian Sea"

  1. Pedro J. Alfonso | 29. April 2018 at 21:51 |

    The only logical reasoning judgement for which Nuclear Power was discovered; is for its use, in a nuclear propulsion and energy producing reactor on an Interstellar Journey! And as of today the human technology has not reached such stage! Or nuclear reactors of course for research projects!

    If a nuclear submarine or battle ship is sunken to the bottom of the ocean is a most unfortunate and dangerous situation; but, the vessel itself would serve as a “grave” provided there is no criticallity occurring (unchecked chain reaction) for some unforeseen reason.

    But a floating nuclear plant? (tons of plutonium and uranium?) That is definitely past the border of reasonable, and into HUMAN INSANITY!

    Is like taking an 8 inch barrel loaded revolver and playing the “cowboy” swinging the revolver round and round, with the index finger in the trigger-guard! Sooner or later a bullet will be fired hopefully not causing a DEATH!

    Nuclear Energy just like; fossil fuel burning, is the death of humanity!

    NOT IN MY BACK YARD “Charlie”, go play with Your loaded revolver in Your own home! (hopefully YOUR children will be no where around) CLEAN RENEWABLE ENERGY is the answer to humanity’s energy needs!!!!!!!!!!!

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