Asia & Pacific

While Australia Debates, Fiji Bets on Nuclear Ships to Power Islands and Cut Emissions

Stuart Ballantyne, chair of Seatransport, says the move could save around 5 million litres of diesel a year for the developing country.
While Australia Debates, Fiji Bets on Nuclear Ships to Power Islands and Cut Emissions
VANUA LEVU, FIJI - JANUARY 10: In this handout provided by the Australian Department of Defence, A Royal Australian Navy Landing Craft carrying disaster relief supplies docks at Bekana Jetty in Vanua Levu, Fiji, during Operation Fiji Assist. On Thursday 24 December 20 over 600 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel on HMAS Adelaide deployed to Fiji to assist with the Fijian Government's disaster relief efforts in response to Tropical Cyclone Yasa. ADF elements are working with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to support the RFMF to provide assistance to thousands of Fijians, including many from remote islands whose homes, schools and other local infrastructure were damaged or destroyed by the category 5 cyclone. Photo by CPL Dustin Anderson/Australian Department of Defence via Getty Images
Rex Widerstrom
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Imagine a fleet of nuclear powered vessels patrolling the vast oceans around Fiji by day, and by night docking in a nearby town, plugging into the local electricity grid, and powering thousands of homes and facilities.

That’s the vision the Fijian government is embarking on in backing the Ocean of Peace vessel, which will carry its own mini-reactor and is estimated to save billions, while cutting down pollution from its diesel powered fleets.

Rex Widerstrom
Rex Widerstrom
Author
Rex Widerstrom is a New Zealand-based reporter with over 40 years of experience in media, including radio and print. He is currently a presenter for Hutt Radio.