Swedish nuclear technical services provider Studsvik has signed a memorandum of understanding with small modular reactor (SMR) project development company Kärnfull Next, which is investigating the possibility of constructing and operating SMRs on the Studsvik industrial site near Nyköping on Sweden's east coast.

Illustration of a multi-unit SMR campus (Image: Kärnfull Next)

Kärnfull Next said the feasibility study began in May, and preliminary results suggest that the Studsvik area "has favourable conditions" for hosting commercial SMRs. The study, which is due to be completed in December, is evaluating "the financial, technological, environmental, and societal feasibility of flexible and state-of-the-art nuclear power production at the site".

Studsvik said its Nyköping site is in a strategic location and houses the company's broad expertise in nuclear technology, including fuel and materials technology, reactor analysis software and fuel optimisation, decommissioning and radiation protection services as well as technical solutions for handling, conditioning and volume reduction of radioactive waste.

The partners said that provided the feasibility study indicates favourable conditions - not least as regards local acceptance - key decisions regarding financing, permitting and power purchase agreements with off-takers will be made in the second half of 2024.

"With its extensive expertise in the nuclear technology sector, Studsvik is the perfect partner for us", said Kärnfull Next CEO and founder Christian Sjölander. "The Studsvik site seems to be well suited to become Sweden's first new nuclear power site, accompanying the three that already exist. Our vision is that one of Europe's first SMR parks can be taken into operation here already in the early 2030s. Having several small reactors creates future-proof jobs and opportunities for co-location with other high-tech industries."

"Kärnfull Next has established itself as a reliable and innovative partner with solid expertise," said Studsvik CEO Camilla Hoflund. "We welcome the partnership and look forward to the outcome of the feasibility study. At present it is too early to say what this may mean for Studsvik, as the conditions have not yet been fully investigated and there are many years left before a possible establishment of an SMR at the Studsvik site."

In March 2022, Kärnfull Next signed a memorandum of understanding with GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy on the deployment of the BWRX-300 in Sweden.

In March this year, Swedish lead-cooled SMR technology developer LeadCold - a spin-off from Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm - announced it was to conduct a feasibility study on the construction and operation of a demonstration SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) with associated infrastructure for fuel fabrication at Studsvik's site in Studsvik.

Earlier this month, Sweden's Radiation Safety Authority presented its final report to the government on how the regulatory framework for nuclear power should be developed and what other measures may be needed for nuclear power to be expanded in the country. The assignment included identifying the need for development of the rules or other measures that can affect the conditions for the use of existing and new nuclear power, such as SMRs, based on known, as well as new, reactor technology.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News