A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Switzerland-based electrical infrastructure company Hitachi Energy (part of Japan’s Hitachi Group) and Swedish nuclear start-up Blykalla has established a long-term strategic partnership to accelerate the commercialisation and deployment of next-generation, lead-cooled advanced modular reactors (AMRs) across Europe and the United States.
The partnership merges Blykalla’s advanced liquid-lead reactor designs with Hitachi Energy’s global strengths in electrification, grid integration, and specialised energy industry software. The companies will optimise the electrical and grid systems for Blykalla’s reactor design.
Blykalla (formerly known as LeadCold), founded in 2013, is a Swedish deep-tech company commercialising next-generation, lead-cooled small modular reactors (SMRs). The company is a direct spin-off from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead Reactor) is a compact 55 MWe / 140 MWt lead-cooled fast reactor measuring roughly 6 by 6 metres.
The MOU covers transmission-level connections, on-site electrical architectures, and digital monitoring systems. The engineering framework allows Hitachi Energy to package its infrastructure offerings into a standardised solution optimised for serial SMR deployment. Initial commercial efforts will focus on high-demand, energy-intensive applications requiring continuous baseload power, specifically targeting data centres and heavy industrial sites.
A historical limitation of lead-cooled systems has been corrosion. Blykalla is aiming to overcome this by using patented aluminium-alloyed steel technology that resists the highly corrosive nature of liquid lead at operating temperatures.
Because AMRs are compact, they can be co-located directly alongside factories or digital infrastructure, bypassing the need for extensive long-distance power transmission lines. Blykalla aims to have its first commercial reactor operational in the early 2030s. The company in May applied to the Swedish government to build a six-reactor power plant park in Norrsundet, Gävle, to deliver a combined capacity of 330 MWe. In June, Blykalla applied for Swedish government financing for the plant.
“We need reliable and low-carbon power solutions that can be integrated efficiently into the energy system as electricity demand continues to grow across industry and digital infrastructure,” said Tobias Hansson, Country Managing Director of Hitachi Energy Sweden. “By combining Blykalla’s innovative reactor technology with our expertise in electrification, we can help enable solutions that support industrial growth and the broader energy transition.”
Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman noted: “As we move toward commercialisation, this collaboration strengthens our ability to deliver complete energy solutions. Hitachi Energy’s expertise in electrification makes them a strong partner to help bring our technology to market, and positions us to meet the growing global demand for clean, reliable power.”
