Funding designated for Swedish feasibility studies

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has allocated SEK19.8 million (USD2.2 million) to nine municipalities that applied for feasibility studies related to new nuclear power.

In February, the government suggested that SEK20 million would be provided annually until 2030 by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency for municipalities interested in conducting feasibility studies for new nuclear power. Previously, a total of SEK15 million had been approved for municipalities during 2024 and 2025. The aim of the funding is to prepare for and expedite the review periods for permits needed for establishing new nuclear power facilities. Municipalities had until March 20 to submit applications for this year's grants.

"Grants may be provided for feasibility studies that help develop methods for a coordinated approach, facilitating effective planning and permitting processes for nuclear facilities," stated the agency.

Thirteen municipalities undertook studies for pilot projects related to planning new nuclear power between 2024 and 2025. These studies focused on preliminary site assessments, the municipalities' roles in the planning phase, required skills, and the establishment of new nuclear power.

The agency has now awarded grants ranging from SEK550,000 to SEK4.35 million to nine municipalities for their feasibility studies. These municipalities include Gävle, Kävlinge, Nyköping, Oskarshamn, Svalöv, Söderhamn, Valdemarsvik, Varberg, and Östhammar.

Out of these, seven municipalities have previously received grants in 2024–2025, while Nyköping and Söderhamn are applying for the first time.

The municipalities must report their findings and experiences to the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency by December 15. The feasibility studies need to be finalized by March 31, 2027.

"Many valuable results and insights arose from the feasibility studies conducted by municipalities in earlier grant rounds," noted Lina Vogel, acting head of the planning, assessment, and supervision department. "These findings can now be further developed or supplemented through this year's distribution of grants. We will closely monitor the municipalities' ongoing work and ensure good opportunities for exchanges between them and the relevant authorities."

In October 2022, Sweden's newly elected center-right coalition government expressed support for nuclear energy. In November 2023, it introduced a roadmap aiming for the construction of new nuclear capacity equivalent to at least two large-scale reactors by 2035, with the potential for up to ten new large-scale reactors (including small modular reactors) by 2045. A new state aid act took effect on August 1, 2025, allowing interested companies to apply for aid.

In December, the Swedish government received its first application for this aid to support plans for either five GE Vernova Hitachi BWRX-300 reactors or three Rolls-Royce SMRs to generate approximately 1,500 MW at Ringhals on the Värö Peninsula. This application was submitted by Videberg Kraft AB, a project company owned by Vattenfall AB and supported by various industrial firms through the Industrikraft i Sverige AB consortium. Last week, the government announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in Videberg Kraft AB.