Second application from the Studsvik Group this spring, as the company expands its ReFirm SMR programme and Sweden moves to meet growing demand for firm, low-carbon power.

 

Studsvik AB has submitted an application to the Swedish Government to establish new nuclear power capacity of between 600 and 1400 MWe at and around its existing nuclear site in Nyköping Municipality. Subject to permits, the company is aiming for commercial operation of the first reactors in the 2030s.

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The application is the second submitted to the Government from within the Studsvik Group this spring, following Kärnfull Next's submission for 1200–1600 MW of SMR capacity at Valdemarsvik in March, and forms part of Sweden's emerging pipeline of new nuclear projects. Further applications may follow as the group's project portfolio matures.

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The application was handed to Johan Britz, Minister for Employment and acting Minister for Climate and the Environment, by Studsvik's President and CEO Karl Thedéen and Christian Sjölander, Head of New Build Projects. The Nyköping project is part of Studsvik's ReFirm programme — one of the most advanced multi-site SMR development programmes in the European Union — which came into the group with the acquisition of Kärnfull Next earlier this year. ReFirm is also pursuing projects at Valdemarsvik, Motala and Karlshamn.

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"Sweden has decided to build new nuclear power, and the country needs new firm, fossil-free capacity on a scale not seen in a generation," said Karl Thedéen. "Few sites in the country are as ready to contribute as Nyköping. Studsvik combines an active nuclear site and decades of technical expertise with one of Sweden's most experienced new-build development teams. Our intention is to turn that into real capacity for the Swedish grid."

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Sweden's electricity demand is set to grow substantially as industry electrifies across steel, chemicals, transport and a fast-growing data centre sector. At the same time, the existing nuclear fleet — which today provides the majority of Sweden's firm, low-carbon power — will reach the end of its operational life in the middle of this century, creating a need for new baseload capacity on top of rising demand. The Government last year launched a SEK 220 billion financing facility and contracts-for-difference scheme to underwrite around 5,000 MW of new nuclear capacity over the coming decade.

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Nyköping sits in the SE3 bidding zone, the same price area as Stockholm, where demand is concentrated and the supply gap is increasingly acute. The Studsvik site is close to the E4 motorway, major energy consumers, Stockholm Skavsta airport and the regional grid, and is already one of Sweden's most established nuclear environments — hosting decades of reactor physics, fuel and materials research and services to operators worldwide.

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"The application is the start of a permitting process," said Christian Sjölander. "Our task now is to do the technical, environmental and community work needed to build confidence among the municipality, the authorities and our neighbours that this is a project worth backing — and to keep that dialogue going at every stage."

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There is a symmetry to the moment. Studsvik began life in 1947 as AB Atomenergi, the state company chartered to help build Sweden's nuclear power capability. For nearly eight decades it has done so from Nyköping — through research reactors on site, materials science, fuel and reactor analysis, and services to operators and regulators around the world. The application now opens the prospect of commercial nuclear power at Studsvik itself for the first time.

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The Government review is the first stage of an extensive permitting process that will also involve the municipality, the Land and Environment Court and the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority. Any future establishment would require further reviews, permits and approvals under Swedish nuclear, environmental and planning legislation, alongside continued local engagement. 

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This announcement is not expected to have a financial impact of such materiality that it significantly affects Studsvik Group's results during 2026.