Estonia aims to realize its first small modular nuclear reactor by 2035, with preparations underway.
The race to build Estonia's first small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear power plant is gathering pace, with three major international players vying for the contract.
Fermi Energia, the Estonian company behind the project, has announced that it will make a decision on the technology to be used in February 2023, following the receipt of cost estimates in December. The shortlisted firms include Nuscale, GE Hitachi, and Rolls-Royce.
Nuscale, with the support of the United States, and Rolls-Royce, backed by the United Kingdom, are both planning to begin their first builds in the coming years. Rolls-Royce has been chosen as the manufacturer for the Estonian SMR, with operations potentially starting around 2035.
Meanwhile, work on the BWRX-300 compact reactor from GE Hitachi is already underway at a facility not far from Toronto, Canada. This technology has been the standard in nearly ten studies for Fermi Energia.
The decision to construct an SMR is driven by Fermi Energia's aim to provide a reliable source of electricity for its customers, regardless of the weather conditions. The long-term fixed pricing for the Estonian SMR has been set at 55 euros per megawatt-hour.
To further the development of this next-generation technology, Fermi Energia has released a request for proposals for the construction of the Estonian SMR. The chosen firm will play a crucial role in Estonia's transition towards a sustainable and resilient energy future.
