Bluecore Energy proposes floating nuclear reactor for Port of Long Beach

Bluecore Energy has proposed the deployment of a 10 MW floating nuclear reactor at the Port of Long Beach, California. The project aims to provide continuous electricity for approximately 15,000 homes and support increasing electrification and automation within port operations. The company plans to develop and test its water-cooled, barge-mounted system at Berth 48.

The proposed technology utilizes compact small modular reactors that can be scaled by combining multiple units. While the system offers a potential solution for high-demand coastal facilities, data centers, and ships, it faces significant regulatory hurdles. California has maintained a moratorium on the construction of fission reactors since 1976 due to radioactive waste concerns, and it remains unclear how this state restriction applies to floating models.

Bluecore Energy has not yet filed a formal application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Currently, the project is in a regulatory planning phase, with the Port of Long Beach, the US Maritime Administration, and federal agencies including the Coast Guard and the Department of Energy working to develop necessary safety and operational protocols.