Monday, January 6, 2025
Norway’s Halden Kärnekraft AS has signed a letter of intent with the owner of a parcel of land in Halden that has been identified as a potential site for the construction of a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors.
_24214.png "Planned construction site for Halden SMR power plant identified 6")
Halden Jernekraft (20% owned by the city of Halden, 40% each by Norsk Jernekraft and Ostfold Energy) is investigating the construction of a nuclear power plant using small modular reactors (SMRs) It was established in November 2023 to
The initiative to explore the deployment of an SMR in Halden in south-east Norway was the brainchild of the municipality itself, which has more than 60 years of experience hosting the Energy Technology Institute’s Nuclear Fuel and Materials Test Reactor. In June 2018, the institute declared permanent closure.
The proposed power plant in Halden could consist of up to four SMRs with a total installed capacity of 1200 MWe and annual production of 10 TWh.
“When choosing the location, stable ground conditions with a large flat area, access to cooling water and the power grid were particularly important,” Norsk Jernekraft said. “The area is sparsely populated and has good road connections.”
The land identified as a potential site for the factory is owned by Store Bjornstad AS and the contract covers an area of up to 600 acres (243 hectares).
The next stage of the project will involve a detailed study of all aspects of the proposed site. This includes considerations for safety, conservation, environmental impacts, ecosystem services, emergency preparedness, ground conditions, landscaping, infrastructure, grid connectivity, transportation, and outdoor recreation.
“This site, located on the south side of the exit to Femschoen on the Haldenwasdraget River, stands out as an extremely suitable location,” says Harvard Christian, CEO of Halden Kiernekraft. Sen said. “We considered a number of alternative locations before deciding to investigate this site further. We are currently working closely with local residents to determine what the ongoing investigation will include. We will thoroughly investigate the area and see if we can move forward.”
In addition, space has been set aside for radioactive waste storage facilities of the same type as in Finland and Sweden, with waste from Norway’s future nuclear power plants as well as from Scheller and Germany’s decommissioned research reactors. of existing waste can also be treated. Halden.
“This is an important milestone for Norway’s nuclear development,” said Johnny Hestamer, CEO of Norsk Gjernekraft. “We have not only set up a site for a nuclear power plant in eastern Norway that will ensure a safe supply, but also identified a site where we can manage waste.”
Last month, US-based engineering firm Amentum and Norwegian consulting firm Multiconsult Norge AS were appointed by Halden Körnekraft to assess the feasibility of constructing an SMR in Halden. The companies will carry out an evaluation of potential suppliers of equipment and services in Norway and abroad and report on technical standards, environmental impact and other important aspects of the construction program.
At the time of Halden Kärnekraft’s launch, the partners realized that there was currently a power deficit of 16 TWh in the Oslo, Akershus and Østfold regions. Furthermore, Norwegian power grid operator Statnet warned that without new production and increased network capacity to eastern Norway, there will be no capacity available for new large-scale consumption. Under current plans, this is not expected until 2035 and will have major implications for Ostfold.
“Halden’s location between Oslo and Gothenburg makes it a very attractive region for data centers serving artificial intelligence users, as such data centers need to be located close to the users. ” Hestamer said. “Menon Economics’ ripple effect analysis shows that such a data center has the potential to create hundreds of jobs at Halden, in addition to the jobs at the power station itself.”
Norsk Kjernekraft aims to build, own and operate SMR power plants in Norway in cooperation with power intensive industries. The company says it will prepare license applications in accordance with domestic regulations and international standards. Follow the International Atomic Energy Agency’s approach to milestones and focus on what creates value in the early stages. Financing will be done in partnership with well-capitalized industry and solid financial players.
The company said it will soon submit the project to Norway’s Ministry of Energy, along with a proposal for an evaluation program.
Halden is the fourth proposed site for a nuclear power plant announced by Norsk Djernekraft. Last August, the company submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Energy to evaluate the construction of multiple SMR-based power plants in the city of Øigaarden, west of Bergen. This proposal follows proposals submitted for SMR power plants in the cities of Aure and Heim, as well as in the city of Vardo.
