Core Power announced the development of the world’s largest floating nuclear power plant, which will come to the United States during the mid-2030s. The Liberty program serves as an initiative to create an advanced civil nuclear system specifically designed for maritime functions.
CEO Mikal Bøe highlighted at the Core Power Summit in Houston, Texas that the program could open a $2.6 trillion opportunity for floating power solutions. The company uses shipyard facilities for nuclear construction to achieve better efficiency and reduced costs. The first Liberty plant will produce 175 GWh of clean electricity throughout each year.
The Liberty program begins its operations by concentrating on the production of Floating Nuclear Power Plants (FNPPs) on a large scale. The power barges can be deployed at both port facilities and deep-sea locations through modular construction methods that utilize existing shipbuilding facilities to produce large-scale electricity generation. A central shipyard provides commissioning and maintenance services for floating nuclear power plants, which enables easy deployment to various sites.
The foundation of this program depends on implementing molten salt reactors (MSRs), which represent the next stage of nuclear technology development. MSRs function safely under near-atmospheric pressure conditions, which eliminates the requirement for extensive safety zones, thus improving both insurability and operational efficiency. Nuclear-powered vessels using these reactors would require only one fuel load during their operational lifetime, thus reducing waste production.
Core Power expects to start accepting FNPP orders in 2028, while commercialization of these vessels will begin during the next ten years. The company collaborates with the International Maritime Organization and the IAEA to build international nuclear safety standards.
Floating nuclear technology through the Liberty program will transform maritime energy while securing heavy industries’ trade and energy security.