Government seeks approval for 12-year loan package and long-term price guarantees
The Swedish government has proposed a financial framework of up to SEK 220 billion (€19.9bn, $23.4bn) over 12 years to support the construction of new nuclear reactors, according to its 2026 draft budget.
The plan also includes annual price guarantee allocations of SEK 1-3 billion for up to 40 years after new units begin operation.
A government statement said the long-term support framework is designed to allow loans to project companies, with the first contracts expected in 2026 and 2027.
The statement said that the proposed figures represent an upper ceiling for negotiations, not a final price tag and will the draft motion require parliamentary approval.
The package is intended to cover investment support for up to about 5,000 MW of new nuclear capacity, which it said is essential for maintaining a high pace of electrification while keeping electricity prices stable and fossil-free.
The budget proposal also includes SEK 161 million in 2026 to strengthen the permitting capacity of key agencies and courts, including the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, the Environmental Protection Agency, county administrations, and the judiciary.
The government said it plans to establish a new environmental permitting authority from 1 July 2027 to streamline and accelerate project approvals.
Some responsibilities will be transferred initially from county administrations, with later reforms also expected to shift parts of the process from the land and environment courts.
The support scheme will require approval from the European Commission, and terms will be negotiated case-by-case, which means final state costs will depend on construction prices and future electricity markets.
The government said expanding nuclear generation is central to Sweden’s strategy for reaching net-zero emissions and for providing secure, competitive energy to industry and households.
In May 2025, Sweden passed a law establishing a state aid framework that includes government-backed loans and two-way Contracts for Difference (CfDs) for companies planning to build nuclear reactors.
The law covered projects with a total capacity of up to 5,000 MW, equivalent to around four or five large reactors, and came into force on 1 August 2025, when applications for support could be submitted.
The Swedish government announced last week it will host a high-level international summit on nuclear financing and investment in the Baltic Sea region together with Finland in October.
