Estonia moving ahead on new nuclear planning

Minister of Economic Affairs and Industry Erkki Keldo said: "We are looking forward to qualified companies participating in the tender to contribute to the development of Estonia's energy security. This is a good opportunity to pave the way for the future, creating a new opportunity for energy production in Estonia. If the decision to build a nuclear power plant is made, the plan with the most suitable location and solution will already be waiting for the investor."

The Estonian Government initiated the state spatial planning process for the nuclear power plant at the request of Fermi Energia in May. The planning area includes the rural municipalities of Viru-Nigula, Haljala, Rakvere and Vinni and the Rakvere city rural municipality in Lääne-Viru county; the Lüganuse and Toila rural municipalities and Kohtla-Järve city in Ida-Viru county; and the sea area from Kunda Bay to Narva Bay, covering some 1,285 square kilometres in total. This is significantly larger than the actual area where the nuclear power plant and the necessary facilities will be built, but ensures that the best location for the nuclear power plant can be thoroughly considered and assessed, the government said.

A working group has also been established in the country for the project, with representatives from 35 organisations, which aims to ensure the views of experts and communities are taken into account.

The ministry said the current procurement - which has a deadline of 8 January - will lead to the first stage of the project plan, and include setting the criteria for site selection and an environmental impact assessment and various other studies that will be required. It will include a "search for the best possible location for the nuclear power plant in the planning area, where a comprehensive and detailed solution will be planned in the next stage. In doing so, construction conditions will be developed and other issues related to the construction of the plant will be resolved. All necessary infrastructure will also be planned together with the plant, including electrical connections to the existing network, accesses, cooling systems".

Estonia's government says that the proposed nuclear energy capacity will bring more energy security to the country, cheaper prices and create new high-paying jobs.

Fermi Energia was founded by Estonian energy and nuclear energy professionals to develop deployment of SMRs in Estonia. In July 2019, the company launched a feasibility study on the suitability of SMRs for Estonia's electricity supply and climate goals beyond 2030, following a financing round from investors and shareholders.

In February 2023, the company selected GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy's BWRX-300 SMR for potential deployment by the early 2030s. The BWRX-300 design is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of the company's ESBWR boiling water reactor.

In September this year Fermi Energia signed a three-year teaming agreement with Canadian construction company Aecon during which the parties will strategise, plan, and evaluate paths forward for the deployment of the BWRX-300 in Estonia. They will work together on pre-construction schedule and cost planning, and development of a capable reactor building deployment team, in collaboration with local and international partners.

Fermi Energia expects to submit a construction permit application for the proposed plant in 2029, with construction targeted to begin in 2031. The first of two SMRs is set to be operational by the second half of 2035.