Sweden has received another application to build small modular reactors

The Swedish government has received its third application to build a new nuclear power plant made up of small modular reactors. The latest project is a plant in Nyköping, comprising up to four reactors with a combined capacity of up to 1400 MWe. If approved, the first reactor could begin commercial operation in the early 2030s. Sweden has sparked interest in new nuclear capacity through state support and measures to promote construction.

Swedish nuclear engineering services company Studsvik announced that it had submitted an application to the Swedish government to build a plant consisting of small modular reactors. Company representatives submitted the application for two to four new reactors directly to the Minister for Climate and the Environment. Studsvik plans to use its Nyköping site to build the nuclear power plant. It is in the same bidding zone (SE3) as the capital, Stockholm, where the company says the gap between supply and demand is widening.

“Sweden has decided to build new nuclear capacity, and the country needs new, stable, non-fossil generation capacity. Few sites in the country are as well positioned to contribute as Nyköping. Studsvik combines an active nuclear site and decades of technical expertise with one of Sweden’s most experienced new-build development teams. Our intention is to turn these strengths into real generating capacity for the Swedish electricity grid,” said Karl Thedéen, president and CEO of Studsvik.

Studsvik expects to build 600 - 1400 MWe of installed capacity at the site. It expects the first reactor to enter commercial operation in the early 2030s. However, this timeline assumes a smooth permitting process, which the company is only just beginning. In addition to the government, the local municipality, the building authority and the nuclear regulator will also be involved in the process.

“The application marks the beginning of the permitting process. Our task now is to carry out the technical, environmental and community work needed to build trust among the municipality, authorities and our neighbours that this is a project worth supporting—and to maintain this dialogue at every stage,” said Christian Sjölander, head of new-build projects.

Swedish support for new nuclear construction

In February, the Swedish government announced several measures to make it easier to build new nuclear power plants in the country. For example, new legislation introduced a process for early-stage government approval.  The aim is to improve predictability and accelerate new nuclear projects. Last year, the government approved state support for new nuclear reactors with an installed capacity of at least 300 MW at a single site.

“The development of new Swedish nuclear capacity and an effective climate transition are now gathering pace. The fact that the government has now received another application for a new nuclear power plant clearly shows that the legislative changes introduced by the government are creating the right conditions for companies,” said acting Minister for Climate and the Environment Johan Britz.

The Swedish government has already received two applications for new nuclear construction—the first in March from Kärnfull Next and the second in May from Blykalla. All the applications envisage the construction of small modular reactors.