The Radiation and Safety Authority (STUK) has updated its regulations regarding the safety and exclusion zones of nuclear power plants. Under the new regulations, facilities can now be built in urban areas.
According to Tommi Nyman, CEO of Steady Energy, which is developing a Finnish small nuclear power reactor "This is the most significant single regulatory update concerning small nuclear reactors. It allows for the construction of small reactors suitable for district heating in cities—right where the consumption is."
The high cost of energy, along with the need to combat climate change and to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels, has increased interest in small nuclear power. "The interest in Steady Energy's technology is not surprising in a situation where utilities are urgently considering how to reduce emissions and transition away from combustion-based production to more sustainable solutions."
Current regulations do not prohibit the construction of small nuclear power plants, but nuclear power regulations have historically been developed with large units in mind. For example, the Radiation Safety Authority's regulations, updated in February, previously required nuclear plants to be located in sparsely populated areas. Regardless of size, a five-kilometer safety zone and a 20-kilometer preparedness zone were mandated around the plant. According to STUK, these fixed distance requirements were excessive for small nuclear plants.
The commercial implementation of district heating reactors requires that the plant can be built in connection with a district heating network. "Despite the interest, municipalities and energy companies have been waiting for the update to the regulations. Due to the fixed safety zones, municipalities have been unable to initiate the zoning processes. This is no longer an obstacle for that, the path is open," Nyman notes.
The government program under prime minister Petteri Orpo also includes a commitment to reform the Nuclear Energy Act by 2026. One of the key goals of the reform is to promote the construction of small nuclear plants and to encourage the development and adoption of innovations related to nuclear energy. According to Steady Energy's Nyman, "The comprehensive reform of the Nuclear Energy Act is a very important project. In Finland, it is understood that nuclear power plays a central role in achieving energy and climate policy goals. However, the reform is not a prerequisite for the progress of small nuclear projects right now. For example, Steady Energy has signed a letter of intent with Helen and Kuopion Energia to build up to fifteen reactors. The sooner these projects are concretely advanced, the sooner they can be put into production."
For more information:
Lauri Muranen
Head of public affairs
040 707 6637
lauri.muranen@steadyenergy.fi