Floating mini nuclear power stations are being explored to provide another means of offshore energy under a partnership between Saipem and newcleo.
Their use for powering the likes of offshore oil and gas rigs will primarily be assessed under the agreement, the duo said on Thursday.
However, the feasibility of developing floating nuclear units to supply power back on land is also set to be studied.
This will relate to startup newcleo’s small modular reactor technology, which is being developed to run on repossessed nuclear waste.
“The production of zero-emission energy through floating offshore plants equipped with new generation compact reactors could represent a new frontier in the energy transition,” Alessandro Puliti, chief executive of Italy's Saipem, commented.
Small modular reactors have long been slated as a cheaper and faster-to-build alternative to conventional fission power stations.
Such technology is yet to be widely approved though, with models from Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:RR.) and Holtec International currently being assessed in the UK.
Stefano Buono, newcleo boss, added the deal could produce "offshore power plants that can provide decarbonised electricity onshore, anywhere in the world".