Company to focus on light-water reactors in south of country
Swedish nuclear technology company Studsvik has applied to the government for state support to develop up to 1,400 MW of new nuclear capacity using small modular reactors (SMRs), a statement said.
The company said the application is the first private gigawatt-scale SMR application under Sweden’s state financing framework for new nuclear power.
Studsvik said the application is part of its ReFirm programme for developing SMR parks in southern Sweden based on established light-water reactor technology.
The most advanced sites are Valdemarsvik and Nyköping, both in electricity bidding zone SE3 in southern Sweden. Studsvik said development and permit-related work is under way at the two locations.
The company said the structure of the programme allows it to evaluate sites in parallel and maintain flexibility before a final project selection is made.
ReFirm is targeting multiple light water SMR units with total capacity of up to about 1,400 MW. Studsvik said it has selected light water technology for a “more predictable” route through licensing, permitting and project implementation.
Studsvik said is also working on the project delivery model, including potential partners for reactor technology, engineering, construction, financing and operations.
According to Studsvik, the first reactor unit under ReFirm could be commissioned in the second half of the 2030s, subject to decisions, permits and commercial conditions.
The government offices are expected to review the application before any negotiations on the terms and conditions of state support begin.
Studsvik said any final support arrangement would require Swedish approvals and, where applicable, approval by the European Commission under EU state aid rules.
The application follows Studsvik’s acquisition of Kärnfull Next in March 2026, which added project development capability to Studsvik’s technical platform.
In May 2025, Sweden passed a law establishing a state aid framework including government-backed loans and two-way contracts for difference for companies planning to build nuclear reactors, covering projects with a total capacity of up to 5,000 MW.
Studsvik applied last month to build an SMR park at Nyköping, while Kärnfull Next applied for government approval in March 2026 for an SMR at Valdemarsvik.
Besides the two from Studsvik and Kärnfull Next, advanced nuclear reactor manufacturer Blykalla has applied to build a 330-MW SMR park in the Gävle municipality two hours north of the capital Stockholm. State utility Vattenfall has also applied for state financing to build new reactors at its Ringhals nuclear site through its subsidiary Videberg Kraft.
Sweden has six reactor units in commercial operation at three sites: Forsmark, Oskarshamn and Ringhals. According to International Atomic Energy Agency data, nuclear energy provided 29% of the country’s electricity generation in 2025.
