Grenland Kärnkraft, a recently established wholly-owned subsidiary of Norsk Kärnkraft, has submitted a white paper to Norway’s Ministry of Energy with proposals for an SMR and environmental impact assessment programme. This marks the start of the formal regulatory process to establish nuclear power in Grenland.
The white paper describes the location, the need for power and how nuclear power can contribute to meeting local, regional and national climate goals. It also outlines the topics that will be included in a future impact assessment, including the environment, security, society and economy.
Grenland Kärnkraft is proposing a nuclear power plant consisting of small modular reactors (SMRs) with a total capacity of up to 1500 MWe and an annual production of 12.5 TWh. This corresponds to around 10% of Norway’s total power consumption and would reduce the need for wind power development and new power lines. The report points to a currently unregulated area at Herre in Bamble municipality, just south of the Skien port terminal, as a possible site but other relevant locations will also be considered.
A nuclear power plant in Grenland can provide about 500 permanent jobs, in addition to local and regional ripple effects in the form of deliveries, services and new business development. Stable and affordable access to power will also make it possible to establish new power-intensive industry and enable existing industry to implement climate measures and efficiency improvements.
“Grenland is currently one of the regions in Norway with the highest power prices, and the industry is concerned about security of supply. With a nuclear power plant strategically located in Grenland, we can help solve both the price and capacity challenges,” said Kärnkraft CEO Jonny Hesthammer. “This is an important milestone for our investment in Grenland. We are now taking the first formal step into the process that will investigate how nuclear power can contribute to securing the industry’s future power needs, reducing emissions and strengthening security of supply.”
On the same day that the white paper was submitted, Kärnkraft also sent an invitation to the municipalities of Skien and Porsgrunn, in addition to the existing dialogue with Bamble municipality, to become future co-owners of Grenland Kärnkraft.
In a similar development, Fensfjorden Kärnkraft, owned by Norsk Kärnkraft and Austrheim municipality, has submitted a white paper with a proposal for a study programme to the Ministry of Energy marking the start of the formal regulatory process to study the construction of a NPP in Austrheim municipality, Vestland county.
Its purpose is to investigate the possibility of establishing nuclear power production near the Mongstad refinery – Norway’s largest emitter of CO2. The NPP could have a capacity of up to 1,200 MWe and an annual production of about 10 TWh.
“Austrheim is in the middle of a demanding power situation,” said Jonny Hesthammer. “The demand for new electricity in the region is more than twice as high as today’s consumption, while large emissions must be cut. A nuclear power plant can supply large amounts of stable, emission-free power directly to existing and new industry, without extensive need for grid development.” Open public meetings have already been held in the municipality to provide information about the project and invite dialogue.
“We want to be a driving force for new, sustainable solutions in the region. A nuclear power plant in Austrheim can both contribute to a secure energy supply and secure jobs locally. At the same time, we want an open process, where citizens get good information and the opportunity to participate in the discussion,” said Austrheim mayor Morten Sognnes.
In a separate development, Norsk Kärnkraft and Vardø municipality joined forces to establish Varanger Kärnkraft to investigate the possibilities of establishing a nuclear power plant in Eastern Finnmark.
This initiative is the result of more than two years of collaboration initiated by Vardø municipality in April 2023. In June 2024, Norsk Kärnkraft submitted a white paper with a proposal for a study programme for a nuclear power plant at Smelror in Vardø. Earlier this year, the municipality published architectural drawings of the power plant.
The power system in Eastern Finnmark is vulnerable, especially in winter, and is largely dependent on the supply of power through long power lines in inaccessible and harsh terrain. In addition, much of the power production in the region comes from hydropower plants in the Pasvik river, on the border with Russia.
“I am proud to be able to mark the establishment of Varanger Kärnkraft,” said Vardø mayor Tor-Erik Labahå. “When a united city council decided in 2023 to start work to get a nuclear power plant to Vardø, it was a forward-looking and courageous choice. Our goal has always been to ensure a stable and sustainable energy supply, while at the same time laying the foundation for new industrial development and increased settlement in Finnmark.”
He added: “At the same time, we are aware that this is only the start of a long process. Extensive work remains – from thorough studies to close dialogue with authorities and local communities – before nuclear power can become a reality in Vardø. But with the establishment of Varanger Kärnkraft, we have taken the first, decisive steps towards a safer, more sustainable and future-oriented energy supply for the entire region.”
