Kärnfull Next has submitted Sweden’s first application under the country’s new Act on Government Approval of Nuclear Facilities, marking a key milestone for new nuclear development.

 

The application covers a planned small modular reactor (SMR) campus in Valdemarsvik, southern Sweden, and has been formally submitted to Johan Britz, Minister for Employment and acting Minister for Climate and the Environment.

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The new legislation introduces an early-stage government approval process designed to improve predictability and accelerate the deployment of new nuclear capacity.

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“This is a clear step from concept to formal permitting,” said Christian Sjölander, CEO of Kärnfull Next. “Sweden needs new dispatchable, fossil-free power – particularly in the south – and this application shows that real projects are now moving forward.”

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The application has been submitted by project company ReFirm Målma AB and represents the first stage in a broader licensing process, including environmental and nuclear regulatory approvals. The Valdemarsvik project is part of Kärnfull Next’s ReFirm South program, a portfolio of sites being developed for SMR deployment across southern Sweden.

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The company plans to submit additional applications for other ReFirm sites later this year, as projects reach the same level of maturity. Earlier this month, Studsvik AB announced its acquisition of Kärnfull Next, expanding its scope from technical services for existing nuclear facilities to also include new-build project development.

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“The combination of project development and technical nuclear expertise creates a strong platform to deliver new nuclear in Sweden,” the company said.

 

Kärnfull Next says the Valdemarsvik project could, if approved, deliver new stable and fossil-free power generation to support Sweden’s growing electricity demand.