Vattenfall is taking significant new steps regarding the feasibility study on the new SMR at Ringhals

In June 2022, Vattenfall commenced a preliminary study on Small Modular Reactors (SMR) in connection with the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. As part of its feasibility study, Vattenfall is now taking a number of significant steps with the ambition of commissioning its first reactor in the early 2030s.

The purpose of the ongoing feasibility study is to investigate the commercial, legal and technical conditions for the construction of at least two new SMRs in connection with the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. Contacts with potential suppliers of SMR technology have begun and field studies and ground surveys around Ringhals will soon begin.

─ There are three things that happen after that. We already have dialogue with several potential technology suppliers and will continue to work later this year with one or more of them to obtain concrete proposals for reactors. We are also beginning the work required for the Environmental Impact Statement, which includes field studies and soil surveys in the area around Ringhals. We are preparing to call local consultations after the summer to discuss with interested parties, says Desiree Komstedt, director of business development for nuclear power at Vattenfall.

The preliminary study is expected to be completed by the end of the year 2023-2024 and is an essential part of the decision-making basis in Vattenfall for the permit application with the Radiological Safety Authority and the Earth and Environment Tribunal for the construction of new nuclear power reactors.

─ There is a clear need for more electricity production in southern Sweden and we estimate that there is a need for both new nuclear power and expansion of wind and solar power. We see that Ringhals, where there was already nuclear power in the past, is a very suitable place for new production and the place in Sweden where new reactors can be commissioned faster. Before Christmas, we had already applied to Svenska kraftnät to allow us to connect the new electricity production there, says Komstedt.

Continued investment in existing facilities
In addition to the feasibility study on the new SMR at Ringhals, Vattenfall continues to invest in the five existing nuclear power reactors at Ringhals and Forsmark, which typically produce more than 40 TWh of electricity per year. For the Forsmark 1 reactor, a power increase of 100 MW is underway, and for the Forsmark 3 reactor, a maximum power increase of 250 MW is being realized, which could provide a valuable addition to the production of planable fossil-free electricity.

─ We are also looking at what is required to extend the operating time of all existing reactors by approximately 20 years. In this case, these reactors could be run further into the 2060s, says Desiree Komstedt.

Source: waterfall