Vattenfall continues preparations for new nuclear units in Sweden

Vattenfall is continuing preparations to build new nuclear units at the Ringhals power plant in Sweden. It has asked local authorities to work with it on a detailed plan and planning permission. According to Vattenfall’s plans, at least two small modular reactors are to be built at the site by the early 2030s. The Swedish government is currently discussing legislation to facilitate the construction of new nuclear power sources.

Swedish energy company Vattenfall has asked the municipality of Varberg for a detailed plan that would lead to permission to build new nuclear reactors at the Ringhals power plant. Last June, Vattenfall launched a pilot feasibility study for the construction of at least two small modular reactors (SMRs). The aim is to bring the first unit online in the early 2030s.

“To build new reactors on the Värö Peninsula, a new and detailed plan needs to be drawn up. Vattenfall is therefore asking the municipality of Varberg for a planning decision to prepare such a detailed plan,” said Desirée Comstedt, Vattenfall’s project manager for nuclear energy.

Vattenfall has already acquired most of the land, covering one square kilometre, adjacent to the existing nuclear power plant site on the Värö Peninsula. The company is now analysing how it can use the existing infrastructure and how many support buildings it will need to construct. An environmental impact assessment process is also under way.

“We have carried out a study showing that this area is the best suited to meet Sweden’s growing need for dispatchable electricity generation as quickly as possible,” Comstedt added.

The Ringhals nuclear power plant has four reactors dating from the 1970s and 1980s. Vattenfall shut down the first unit, a BWR, at the end of 2020, while the second unit, a PWR, ceased operation a year earlier. The remaining units currently supply 2,190 MW to the grid, and the company expects them to operate for another 20 years.

Nuclear development in Sweden

Late last year, Sweden’s new government set the country on a course toward developing nuclear power. In addition to setting new rules and processes for building small modular reactors, the government also wants to speed up the permitting process and construction of conventional reactors. In October this year, the government put forward proposals to abolish the limit of ten reactors and allow new nuclear sites to be established.

“The government is now taking further steps to ensure better conditions for the construction and operation of new nuclear power plants in Sweden. We need to make our regulatory framework and our authorities more efficient for future new reactors, both conventional and SMR,” said Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari.