Sweden's energy consumption continues to grow and there is a demand for increasing the amount of fossil-free and reliable power supply. One part of the solution is the deployment of small modular nuclear reactors  and such a project has been launched by Kärnfull Next, reputedly the first project development company to focus on small modular reactors (SMR) in Scandinavia.

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy has been selected as technology supplier to begin the process of establishing a number of small modular reactors in the region as soon as possible.  Work has already begun with a handful of interested parties throughout Sweden but for these new reactors to become a reality, current legislation will need to be reviewed.

A memorandum of understanding has been signed between Kärnfull Next and GE Hitachi for the BWRX-300, a 300 MW water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems. The model makes use of the design and licensing basis of larger boiling water reactors, a technology with which Sweden has significant experience.

“Swedish authorities and subcontractors are used to working with these systems and components, speeding up projects. We’ve of course seen that the first ever BWRX-300 is scheduled to go online in Canada already by 2028,” commented Kärnfull co-founder John Ahlberg.

Preparation of the planned development sites around Sweden will continue in parallel with investor discussions. Kärnfull has secured initial funding from Corespring Invest, an investment portfolio with a long track record of successful investments in cleantech and fossil-free energy sources.