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Sweden's Vattenfall to move ahead with nuclear strategies

Swedish stateowned energy Vattenfall said on Monday it was continuing with planning brand-new nuclear power reactors near its existing Ringhals website however that it was still too early to say which type it would choose.

Vattenfall late in 2015 finished a pre-study into the potential for developing a minimum of 2 small modular reactors ( SMR). Alternatively, it might construct bigger systems more comparable to the ones it already operates.

We have actually concluded that we see excellent opportunities to construct new nuclear power on the Varo Peninsula, however that it is too early to pick a reactor type, it said in a statement.

The task, which would mark the very first new nuclear capability in Sweden because 1985, might be producing energy in around a. decade.

It is still our ambition to have the first rector in. operation in the very first half of the 2030s, Desiree Comstedt,. Vice President New Nuclear at Vattenfall, informed press reporters.

Sweden's government has said it wants to construct the. equivalent of 2 brand-new traditional atomic power plants by 2035 in. order to meet an awaited rise in need for clean power. from industry and transport in the coming years.

By 2045, the federal government wishes to have the equivalent of 10. new reactors.

There are a number of difficulties, however.

There is no business providing a business, scalable SMR. product yet, while a major reactor - which Vattenfall stated. remains a possible alternative - would be a much larger and. complicated job with greater dangers.

Comstedt stated Vattenfall is taking a look at three to five SMRs or. one single full-scale reactor at the Ringhals plant, on the. south-west coast, where two of Sweden's 6 reactors are. positioned.

The greatest question stays funding.

Nuclear tasks like Hinkley Point in Britain and Olkiluoto. in Finland have actually suffered years of hold-ups and cost overruns,. scaring off economic sector financiers and the federal government has. accepted it will need to take a big share of the threat and cost.

A government consultant is expected to suggest a financing. model by August this year.

Comstedt stated Vattenfall would not make an investment. decision until all necessary design, permissioning and funding. aspects of the task had actually been finished.

Vattenfall estimates it will take between 9 and 11 years for. a plant to start operation whichever kind of reactor is selected.

(source: Reuters)