Baltic country could deploy 600 MW of capacity using GE Hitachi BWRX-300 technology
Estonia has formally decided to begin a national planning process and environmental impact assessment for a 600 MW small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant based on a proposal put forward in January by nuclear development company Fermi Energia.
Fermi Energia, which is based in Estonia, said in a statement that submission of the construction permit application for the project is planned for 2029.
The company is planning to deploy GE Hitachi’s BWRX-300 SMR technology. It said the government’s plans to move ahead with the planning process and environmental assessment “underscore a collective commitment to Estonia’s energy security and climate goals”.
Fermi Energia chief executive officer Kalev Kallemets said that while planning and environmental impact assessments have historically been contentious issues in Estonia, Fermi Energia’s extensive community outreach and the trust established with local municipalities “provides reason for confidence that the planning process will proceed successfully”.
Fermi Energia said that over the past six years, continuous communication and cooperation with local communities have been central to the project.
Polling indicates that the local population is generally open to the idea of potentially hosting a nuclear power plant – around 50% are in support and roughly one-third are opposed.
At the national level, public backing for the introduction of nuclear energy into Estonia’s energy mix is even stronger, with 69% of respondents expressing support as of January 2025.
The planning process is structured into three decisive phases. Between 2025 and 2027, a site pre-selection phase will focus on promising areas near Kunda in Viru-Nigula County and the village of Aa in Luganuse County. Both areas are in the north of the country.
This phase will evaluate each location’s access to existing infrastructure, alongside environmental impact assessments, to identify the most viable and sustainable options for development.
To support this effort, Fermi Energia has successfully closed a €2.3m (€2.6m) funding round with participation from both existing and new investors. The capital will be used to finance the initial phase of Estonia’s national special planning process, specifically the site pre-selection studies.
In 2027, the process will advance to detailed site confirmation. During this phase, in-depth studies – covering geology, hydrology, environmental monitoring, and grid connectivity – will be conducted to ensure the selected site meets the stringent safety and performance standards required for deploying the BWRX-300 reactor.
Fermi Energia recently signed a teaming agreement with South Korean construction and engineering company Samsung C&T, which is being considered as a prospective engineering, procurement and construction contractor for the project.
Estonia has no nuclear power plants, but its climate strategy includes plans for up to four SMRs with the first to be operational around 2035.
