More sites planned for nuclear power plants: Sweden’s government relies on nuclear power

Sweden’s conservative government wants to increase energy security and build more nuclear power plants. In the future, nuclear power plants should be allowed to stand at more locations than previously permitted. Smaller reactors are also to be built.

The Swedish government wants to allow the construction of new nuclear power plants at more than the previously approved locations. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced at a press conference that she would submit a corresponding legislative proposal to the Reichstag in Stockholm. This should boost power generation and increase energy security.

Kristersson has made nuclear power one of the main goals of his conservative government. There is a good reason why electricity is currently being saved, but in the long term much more of it will be needed, for example for the electrification of industry and transport, he explained. Kristersson has led a coalition of moderates, Christian Democrats and liberals since October last year. He is supported by the ultra-right Sweden Democrats.

Electricity is also expensive in Sweden

Sweden’s energy mix consists mainly of nuclear energy and renewable energies such as hydropower. Although the country has so far been relatively unaffected by the turbulence surrounding gas supplies caused by the Russian war against Ukraine, electricity prices are high.

Legally, environmental laws have so far stipulated that a maximum of ten nuclear reactors may be in operation in Sweden at the same time and that no new reactors may be built outside the previous sites of Forsmark, Oskarshamn and Ringhals. Kristersson’s conservative-liberal government now wants to change both.

Soon nuclear power plants across the country?

Environment and Climate Minister Romina Pourmokhtari said the new law creates the opportunity to build new nuclear power plants across the country. They also want to enable smaller reactors to be built. The aim is for the change in the law to come into force in March 2024. Sweden currently has six operational reactors.