Sweden picks mini-reactors for first nuclear expansion in 50 years

Sweden picks mini-reactors for first nuclear expansion in 50 years
by AFP Staff Writers
Stockholm (AFP) Aug 22, 2025

Sweden said Thursday that it had selected so-called small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) for its first nuclear power expansion in a half-century.

The government said three or five of the next-generation reactors would be built at the Ringhals plant in southwestern Sweden, providing around 1,500 megawatts -- the equivalent of two classic reactors.

"For the first time in 50 years, new nuclear power will be built in Sweden," Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference.

The Scandinavian country voted in a non-binding 1980 referendum to phase out nuclear power, and since then has shut down six of its 12 ageing reactors.

But a political majority is now in favour of extending nuclear power, along with renewable energy sources, to reduce its use of fossil fuels.

Sweden's state energy utility Vattenfall, which had also been considering classic reactor technology, said either British group Rolls-Royce or American group GE Vernova would be selected as the supplier.

Chief executive Anna Borg said the cost of the project "was still a matter of negotiation", adding that Vattenfall aimed to have the new reactors built by around 2035.

In addition, she said the company was "already looking at the next step to build additional reactors where Ringhals 1 and 2 are currently located".

Sweden's six active reactors currently generate about 30 percent of its electricity needs.

SMRs are potentially relatively simple to build, making them more affordable than large power reactors.

However, the technology is still experimental and only a handful of units have been built anywhere in the world.

Environmental group Greenpeace criticised the right-wing government's plan as vague, citing the lack of a budget, timeline and construction permits.

In a statement, it said the government was "trying to trick the Swedish people into believing that new nuclear power would lead to cheap and green electricity".

"New nuclear power will require some of the biggest state subsidies in Sweden's history, will increase emissions and delay the electrification of industry," it said.

"In other words, it will be more expensive, slower and worse for the climate than if we were to invest in renewables instead of nuclear."

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