Floating nuclear power plants are a growing trend in the clean energy sector. A French nuclear company newcleo is working on a project called “n-Floating.” This project already has almost €1 million ($1,159,645) in funding to put multiple 200-megawatt nuclear reactors on stationary barges.

“Maritime deployment of advanced reactors opens a broader and still largely unexplored market for nuclear energy,” said Stefano Buono, CEO of newcleo. “Floating nuclear offers an opportunity to bring reliable, low-carbon power to applications at sea and in coastal locations. Working with Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore and ABMI Groupe combines highly complementary nuclear, maritime, and engineering expertise, and the support of Bpifrance provides important recognition to develop this project within a French industrial context with deep international credibility.”

The Future of Nuclear Power

A rendering of newcleo’s reactor design; Photo: newcleo

The company is constructing these units at a shipyard because it’s simply easier to repeat the process there. By 2036, newcleo aims for industrial use to power ports and isolated regions.

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“Achieving large-scale decarbonization will require energy solutions that are not only technically feasible, but also capable of being deployed safely, efficiently, and at scale,” Christophe Chauviere, Marine & Offshore Technical & Operations Excellence Senior Vice-President at Bureau Veritas, said. “The n-Floating project provides an opportunity to evaluate how advanced nuclear technology can be combined with established maritime and offshore practices to support the development of a scalable and commercially viable floating energy solution for future industrial and maritime applications.”

Ensuring Safety

With safety as the main priority, the International Atomic Energy Agency launched a new initiative to help guide the rules. According to the company, this partnership could bring steady, low-carbon power to hard-to-reach shores.

“n-Floating brings together complementary expertise to explore new pathways for low-carbon maritime energy solutions,” François Laborde, Chief Executive Officer of ABMI Groupe, said. “While newcleo brings its reactor technology and Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore provides maritime regulatory expertise, ABMI Groupe brings engineering and project delivery experience gained across complex industrial programs in the maritime and nuclear sectors. Through this work, we aim to support the development of a solution designed and built in France, contributing to the country’s industrial and energy transition ambitions.”