Latest news with #floatingpowerstation
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plans for East Yorkshire floating power plant and nuclear reactor
The Humber Estuary could get a floating power station and possibly a small nuclear reactor to generate Energy Park near Saltend has signed an agreement to look at mooring a "power barge" on the water that would use liquefied natural gas (LNG) to produce electricity. The deal would also explore building a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) which generates heat from nuclear material to produce Energy Park said the proposed project would "address critical energy shortages currently facing UK industrial regions". "Grid connection delays can stretch into the 2030s," a spokesperson said"These delays are, in turn, leading to postponed and sometimes cancelled major investment decisions in crucial industries such as AI, advanced manufacturing and cyber security, all vital for the UK's economic growth and security."If it goes ahead, the park hopes to produce power from the LNG barge by month, the government signed a £2.5bn deal with Rolls Royce to develop and build the UK's first SMRs. Analysis There is much excitement about the potential of small modular reactors or SMR's to help address our energy Government says this developing nuclear technology offers a new golden age of nuclear in the UKOne of the UK's best known brands, Rolls Royce, has already been selected to build the country's first small modular use a process called fission to generate heat from nuclear material. A typical reactor can produce enough energy to power about 300,000 to the International Atomic Energy Agency there are about 80 SMR's in development around the worldBut SMR's use radioactive material and there have been concerns about its safety as an energy source and how it is disposed ofProponents of SMR technology say it offers relatively cheap, clean and reliable hope is that an SMR in the Humber will attract industry and inward investment. Hull East MP Karl Turner said he was working with government and industry to "support this effort"."The Humber has always been a national asset and with the right investment, it can now become a cornerstone of Britain's clean energy future," he said"It represents the kind of bold, regionally anchored project that creates skilled jobs, strengthens resilience, and drives growth where it's most needed."Chris Turner, chairman of the Yorkshire Energy Park, said: "Working with UK and international financial and technology partners offers a unique opportunity for the Humber to benefit from large-scale, long-term energy investment that will support new advanced manufacturing industries and skilled job creation on the Humber."Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
South China Morning Post
05-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Solar energy milestone: China taps the ocean in breakthrough for industry
China has launched a fully seawater-based solar energy system – the first of its kind suitable for industrial use and large-scale power production – as part of broader efforts to expand renewables in coastal regions, boost the maritime economy and drive industrial innovation. Located in Qingdao, Shandong province, the floating solar station builds upon another offshore photovoltaic power generation project launched in late May. Together, they form the largest initiative of its kind by Sinopec, one of China's biggest state-owned companies. According to the State Council's information website, the two projects could generate a combined 16.7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 14,000 tonnes. The floating power station, built in coastal waters by Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical, spans about 60,000 square meters and has an installed capacity of 7.5 megawatts. The solar panels rise and fall with the tide, generating energy from the ocean's surface. Their proximity to the water boosts efficiency by 5 to 8 per cent, according to the site. The project is part of Beijing's broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported fuels and shift to home-grown renewables. In 2020, the government set a target of more than 1.2 billion kilowatts of installed wind and solar capacity by 2030.
