Sweden to lift limit on operating nuclear reactors and allow new sites

The Swedish government has submitted a proposal to amend legislation governing nuclear power plants in the country. The aim is to make it easier to build new nuclear units. Current law limits the number of operating reactors to ten and requires them to be located at existing nuclear sites. In addition to conventional plants, Sweden is also planning for small modular reactors in the future.

The Swedish government presented a bill to parliament to amend the Environmental Code, which governs the use of nuclear energy in the country. Under current legislation, a new nuclear reactor may be approved only if it replaces a reactor that has been shut down. The new unit must also be built at a site where another reactor is already located.

“Access to clean electricity is key to Sweden’s energy transition. With today’s decision, we are accelerating the green transition and paving the way for more nuclear power at more locations. New nuclear capacity will create the conditions for reducing emissions,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said.

The aim of the amendment is to lift these restrictions, allowing the country to operate more than ten reactors and build nuclear power plants at new sites. The government’s proposal is due to take effect on 1 January next year.

Adjusting the path to climate targets

In October last year, Sweden’s incoming government embraced nuclear power. Among other things, it changed the target for meeting domestic demand in 2045 from 100% renewable energy to 100% non-fossil energy. Renewables and nuclear power already account for more than 95% of electricity generated in Sweden.

“Developing nuclear power is one of Sweden’s most important climate measures. We need to double electricity generation by 2045, and a large share of it must come from dispatchable sources. That is why the coalition parties are working flat out to remove the obstacles that were previously put in the way of new nuclear capacity,” Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said.

Building new nuclear capacity is particularly important given Sweden’s growing electricity demand. According to analyses by the Swedish Energy Agency, demand in the country could double to 300 TWh/year by 2045. In addition to building at least two large nuclear reactors, the country is also exploring the development of small modular reactors.