Nuclear platforms to offer ‘military edge’ in South China Sea

[Beidou2020]

China will soon start assembling its first maritime nuclear power platform and is expected to build 20 floating nuclear power stations in the future, which will largely beef up the power and water supplies on the South China Sea islands, according to China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC).

The first nuclear power platform will be built by the Bohai Shipbuilding Heavy Industry Company (BSHIC), a company based in Northeast China's Liaoning Province.

The floating power station will be able to provide safe and effective power supply to far-away islands and power sea water desalination, the CNNC wrote in an article published on its official social media WeChat account on Thursday.

Building 20 such nuclear power platforms will cost about 40 billion yuan ($5.98 billion), though it is still cheaper than the cost of an aircraft carrier fleet, the article said. China's Yongxing Island and Yongshu Reef, backed by the nuclear power platforms, will be like two aircraft carriers in the South China Sea, which could give China a military edges over US aircraft carrier fleets, it said.

Although the article was later removed from the company's WeChat account, the construction has been confirmed in previous Global Times reports.

In an interview with the Global Times on April 21, Liu Zhengguo, director of the general office of the China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), China's leading shipbuilding group in charge of designing and assembling the platforms, said the company is "pushing forward the work."

"The development of nuclear power platforms is a burgeoning trend," Liu said when asked to comment on reports that China plans to build 20 maritime nuclear power platforms.

"The exact number of plants to be built [by CSIC] depends on the market demand," he said, without confirming or denying the reported number. "Judging by various factors … the demand is pretty strong."

Liu emphasized the civilian use of the power plants, such as providing electricity for oil drilling platforms.

According to the CNNC article, the firm is pushing ahead with China's nuclear-powered icebreaker project. In the future, China may join hands with Russia to develop a northern navigation route through the Arctic to Europe. The route will make the US strategy of rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific useless, the article claimed.

 

[SEAISI]

This is cutting edge stuff! Good work China scientists.

 

[Beidou2020]

China will accelerate the development of these projects after what happened with the 'tribunal'.

@Viet

 

[navtrek]

China will accelerate the development of these projects after what happened with the 'tribunal'.

@Viet

But isn't this a little to dangerous to have such platforms. On one side it will be very helpful i.e. it can be loaned or power generated from such platforms can be sold to countries with power shortages.

But at the same time we need to make the platform really safe and well protected.

 

[TaiShang]

But isn't this a little to dangerous to have such platforms. On one side it will be very helpful i.e. it can be loaned or power generated from such platforms can be sold to countries with power shortages.

But at the same time we need to make the platform really safe and well protected.

I think, being away from populated areas, it is potentially less risky, even in the vent of an accident.

Of course, marine radiation/pollution would be a concern, for that, enough precautions need to be taken.

We will probably see more details when the first unit is up and running.

 

[Viet]

China will accelerate the development of these projects after what happened with the 'tribunal'.

@Viet

do what you like.

we do concentrate on renewable energy. wind, solar. our islands are self-sufficient.

 

[TaiShang]

do what you like.

we do concentrate on renewable energy. wind, solar. our islands are self-sufficient.

Looking nice. As a largest global investor (in terms of percentage) in renewable energy, China understands the importance of alternative energy resources.

In fact, this vessel can also be considered a form of alternative energy.

 

[cirr]

Mention was also made in the CNNC article of the buildings of large icebreakers for future shipping in the Arctic.

Our American friends can expect to see fleet of Chinese merchant ships conducting freedom of navigation off the shores of Alaska.

 

[navtrek]

I think, being away from populated areas, it is potentially less risky, even in the vent of an accident.

Of course, marine radiation/pollution would be a concern, for that, enough precautions need to be taken.

We will probably see more details when the first unit is up and running.

This tech has lots of business value

 

[Beast]

But isn't this a little to dangerous to have such platforms. On one side it will be very helpful i.e. it can be loaned or power generated from such platforms can be sold to countries with power shortages.

But at the same time we need to make the platform really safe and well protected.

China has been the fore leader in 4th gen nuclear technology. No melt down and auto shut down. Recognized by IAEA. Our nuclear reactor is even better than Japanese.

http://www.globalconstructionreview.com/news/china-set-build-worlds-8f0i6r4s8t0-6f4o2u4r6t8h/

 

[Viet]

Looking nice. As a largest global investor (in terms of percentage) in renewable energy, China understands the importance of alternative energy resources.

In fact, this vessel can also be considered a form of alternative energy.

South China Sea is a tough place, with heavy storms and typhoon throughout the year. Once one of your nuclear floating bomb is sunk, the entire region, the waters may become dead for 1,000 years. I hope you know what you do.

As said, we stick to wind and solar for power generation, and fresh water collection. Our islands are immune against possible sea blockade.

 

[Beast]

South China Sea is a tough place, with heavy storms and typhoon throughout the year. Once one of your nuclear floating bomb is sunk, the entire region, the waters may become dead for 1,000 years. I hope you know what you do.

As said, we stick to wind and solar for power generation, and fresh water collection. Our islands are immune against possible sea blockade.

Do you know what is 4th generation nuclear reactor? One of the most advance feature is auto shut down and prevent of melt down unlike the obsolete Japanese Fukushima reactor.

China is building 4th gen nuclear reactor of it. And we are world leader in such technology. Even UK buys from us. More or less says something. And our 4th gen nuclear reactor is recognised by IAEA

 

[TheTheoryOfMilitaryLogistics]

do what you like.

we do concentrate on renewable energy. wind, solar. our islands are self-sufficient.

Thank you,you are very helpful.

Our nuclear reactor is even better than Japanese.

Their reactor is the 2nd generation,such a backward reator is a threat to the world.

 

[S10]

There is no 4th generation reactors yet. The most advanced reactors in operation are 3+, improved upon the 3rd generation reactors. One of the characteristics of 3+ gen reactors is passive safety. That means the reaction will be shut off automatically without outside mechanical input in case of emergency.

 

[Kiss_of_the_Dragon]

imagine if we bring this nuclear platform with conjunction of sea base X band radar to American pacific coast, we can vitually monitor deep inside US for 30 years before refueling , legally speaking we're allowed to do that as long as we're outside US water territory. This will be a greatest irony to American THAAD setup on SKorea and this mean 30 years of American nightmare to come for been watch by China.

....and we will exercise our right of freedom of navigation if American dare to hit these platform, so much for their THAAD in SK