Wants to Assess Possibility of Nuclear Power in Svalbard
Svalbard Kjernekraft has launched an initiative for nuclear power on Svalbard, and thereby taking the first formal step towards an impact assessment and establishment of a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors (SMRs) in Longyearbyen. (Illustration: Norsk kjernekraft)
Svalbard kjernekraft AS has submitted a proposal for assessing the possibility of nuclear power to the Governor of Svalbard.
The initiative marks the first formal step towards the possibility of establishing a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors (SMRs) in Longyearbyen from the Swedish company Blykalla.
"After the Governor has determined the assessment program, a thorough impact assessment can begin, in line with energy legislation", the company writes in a press release.
Svalbard kjernekraft AS [Svalbard Nuclear Power AS, ed. translation] is a joint project company owned by the Swedish reactor developer Blykalla and Norsk kjernekraft.
The company plans to develop a nuclear power plant based on small modular reactors to supply Longyearbyen with "environmentally friendly, reliable, and affordable energy year-round".
The initiative will be the first step in a broader launch of several possible plants being planned in Norway. After the coal-fired power plant was shut down in Svalbard this summer, Longyearbyen has depended on a temporary diesel solution.
The planned SMR plant will be connected to the existing electricity and district heating grid and replace today's fossil energy sources.
The report describes the project, local conditions, and suggests topics for further assessments. The list of topics includes the environment and biodiversity, safety, waste management, community ripple effects and effects on local businesses and jobs.
The final location for the nuclear power plant will eventually be determined through the impact assessment.
