Three Norwegian state agencies (directorates) have set out their proposed programme for an environmental impact assessment (EIA) for a small modular reactor (SMR) NPP in the municipalities of Aure and Heim on the border between Møreø and Romsdal and Trøndelag.
The Radiation Protection & Nuclear Safety Directorate (DSA Direktoratet for Strålevern og Atomsikkerhet), the Directorate of Social Security & Emergency Preparedness (DSB – Direktoratet for Samfunnssikkerhet og Beredskap) and Norway’s Watercourse and Energy Directorate (NVE Norges Vassdrags- og Energidirektorat) have now submitted their views to government ministries.
In November 2023, the Ministry of Energy was informed by Norsk Kärnkraft that it wanted to establish a NPP in Aure municipality in Møre and Romsdal and Heim municipality in Trøndelag. In April 2025, the Ministries of Energy, Health & Care, Climate & the Environment and Justice & Emergency Preparedness asked DSA, DSB and NVE to prepare a recommendation for a NPP investigation programme in Aure and Heim.
DSA said the establishment of a NPP triggers claims for licences and responsibilities under the Atomic Energy Act, the Pollution Act and the Energy Act. Therefore, in accordance with the Plan & Building Act regulation on impact assessments, investigations are required into the consequences for the environment and society of a nuclear power plant. An investigation programme is a review of which issues the developer must investigate before licensing, permissions and approvals can be granted. The goal is to ensure that environmental and societal considerations are taken into account.
“The three directorates have submitted a proposal defining which topics should be investigated to assess a NPP in Aure and Heim. Now it is up to the ministries to consider how the further work should be undertaken, said Kjetil Lund, Watercourse & Energy Director at NVE.
Director Per Strand at DSA noted: “Nuclear power plants must be operated safely and properly to ensure that people and the environment are protected from the negative consequences of radiation. And it is important that the investigation programme is clear on what consequences a NPP will have for the environment and society. In the regulations, there are strict requirements for nuclear power plants.”
A facility in Aure and Heim will have effects both locally, regionally and nationally. Therefore, there are a number of issues and factors that are important to be highlighted in an impact assessment. The proposal for investigative requirements is based, among other things, on similar requirements for other energy plants, requirements in Norwegian regulations and international best practices.
At the same time, nuclear plants require special investigative requirements covering, among other things, nuclear safety, radiation protection, preparedness, radioactive pollution and waste. It is also important to address how Norway’s obligations on non-proliferation of nuclear material that can be used for nuclear weapons should be met.
DSA noted that Norway has had four research reactors but has no previously established commercial nuclear power. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) recommends that national programmes should be developed on how nuclear power can be included in the power mix and that thorough assessments should be made before deciding where a specific facility should be located. Norway has no national strategy for how nuclear power should be included in its power generation.
“The directorates believe the development of nuclear power generation in Norway should start with an overall, state approach, rather than a local initiative on a concrete facility with a given position. This is also in line with international recommendations from the IAEA,” said Per Strand.
Since the mission is to establish an investigation programme for a specific nuclear project, no position has been taken on whether nuclear power should be part of the Norwegian energy mix, on setting investigative requirements related to siting NPPs in Norway or on what kind of NPP is appropriate.
DSA said: “The Nuclear Power Committee has been set up to make a broad review and assessment of the possible future establishment of nuclear power in Norway. The Directorates recommend that the government await further consideration of this matter until the Nuclear Committee makes its assessments, and until there is a national decision on whether we should have commercial nuclear power in Norway. Establishment of NPPs must also be submitted to the Storting [parliament] before a concession can be granted under the Atomic Energy Act.”
Before nuclear power plants are established in Norway, it will be important to make a thorough assessment of the need to further develop regulations in line with international recommendations, conventions and standards. National nuclear readiness must also be reviewed, and it must be considered whether there is a need to strengthen national nuclear readiness, adapted to a new source of risk in Norway.
“The directorates believe that thorough investigations will be needed of what consequences it will have for Norwegian municipalities to host a nuclear facility, also for the municipal nuclear readiness. Preparedness to nuclear events must be part of the municipalities’ holistic work on social security and preparedness, said Elisabeth Aarsæther, Director of DSB.
