Reference [9.11] provides a direct comparison of the overnight costs for a twin-unit land-based and a twin-unit barge-mounted NPP with the VBER-300 reactors of 325 MWe gross electric output each. According to the data provided by the vendors (see Table 6.2), the overnight capital cost for a barge-mounted plant is 20% lower than those for a land-based plant. However a barge-mounted plant would need factory repairs and maintenance (mostly related to the barge) every 12 years and thus bears higher O&M costs. According to Table 6.2, the overall LUEC for barge-mounted VBER-300 is thus reduced by only 6% with respect to a land-based version[52].

Reference [6.12] provides a more detailed evaluation of the specific overnight capital costs for land-based and barge-mounted NPPs, presented in graphic form as Figure 6.7.