The Development of Floating Nuclear Power Platforms: Special Marine Environmental Risks, Existing Regulatory Dilemmas, and Potential Solutions

Qiuwen Wang, Yan Zhang () and Hu Zhang
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Qiuwen Wang: School of International Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 201620, China
Yan Zhang: School of Law, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
Hu Zhang: School of International Law, East China University of Political Science and Law, Shanghai 201620, China

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-20

Abstract: Floating nuclear power platforms (FNPPs) are a novel form of nuclear energy infrastructure that is designed to generate electricity in coastal regions, particularly in areas with limited land availability or difficulty in building traditional nuclear power plants. However, the development and deployment of FNPPs have raised significant concerns about their potential marine environmental risks and the adequacy of the existing international regulatory framework for regulating these risks. This research aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of FNPPs from an international law perspective, using a policy analysis approach to examine relevant legal instruments and their ability to regulate the environmental risks posed by FNPPs. This study identifies regulatory shortcomings and gaps in the current international legal framework, including pollution regulation dilemmas caused by FNPP positioning, potential conflicts between pollution regulation and freedom of navigation, deficiencies in environmental regulations, problems in the marine environmental impact assessment of FNPPs, and insufficient liability and compensation regime. This research also explores the potential solutions for improving the international regulatory framework, enhancing its ability to effectively address the marine environmental challenges posed by the development and deployment of FNPPs.

Keywords: floating nuclear power platforms; nuclear energy; marine environmental risks; radioactive marine pollution; international regulatory framework (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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