Dossiers Energy of the Future / L’énergie du futur Back to previous selection / Retour à la sélection précédente China to Build a Floating Nuclear Power Plant 11 January 2016 A model of China’s first marine nuclear power platform.[Photo: china.com.cn] EIRNS—China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation has gained approval for the construction of the country’s first floating nuclear power plant. R&D for the project began in 2014, according to crinenglish. Until now, Russia was the only country building a floating plant, which is nearing completion. Military analyst Shi Hong is quoted in the article: "A marine nuclear power platform is a floating nuclear power plant, built on a mobile platform on the ocean. It can be very helpful for marine resource exploration, and life on small islands. It can provide energy for ocean water purification and electricity generation on islands. Such platforms can improve the quality of living on small islands tremendously." It can also provide power for oil exploration, the article reports. Shi says the technology also has military applications. "The development of such nuclear power platforms can present new opportunities for war ships. Military ships have very high standards when it comes to employing nuclear energy. These platforms can serve as a basic testing grounds to further develop new equipment and technology for military use." Two designs have been developed—one for a mobile platform on the ocean, and the other for a submersible plant that can operate under the ocean surface.