Russia's energy ministry has announced that it is to begin construction of the world's first floating nuclear plant despite concerns over safety. According to the energy ministry, the floating plant would initially provide 60MW of energy for the 170,000 people of Severodvinsk on the White Sea, on Russia's northwestern coast, and would be completed within 5 years. Floating plants were first considered by the US in the 1960's but were reportedly abandoned because of worries over safety.