In July last year, Norwegian nuclear project developer Norsk Kjernekraft - which aims to build, own and operate small modular reactor (SMR) power plants in Norway in collaboration with power-intensive industry - signed a cooperation agreement with Lund to consider the construction of such a plant in the area. Since then, thorough preliminary studies have been carried out, which show that the area has several suitable locations where a plant could be built.
The new company - named Dalane Kjernekraft AS - is being established in a partnership between Lund Municipality, Dalane Energi and Norsk Kjernekraft.
The company will operate according to the same model as Halden Kjernekraft AS. That company - founded by Norsk Kjernekraft, Østfold Energi and the municipality of Halden - is investigating the construction of a nuclear power plant based on SMRs at Halden, where a research reactor once operated.
Dalane Kjernekraft will initially continue its investigations and then select a location for an impact assessment. If the impact assessment yields positive results and shows that the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, the next step will be to prepare a licence application that can provide the basis for a possible start of construction. "If the studies yield a positive outcome, an SMR could be ready for operation around the mid-2030s," Norsk Kjernekraft said.
"The Dalane region needs more clean energy to succeed with development and restructuring," said Lund's mayor Gro Helleland. "A nuclear power plant in Lund will benefit the entire region in terms of attractiveness and increased activity for both business and local communities. Consideration of natural intervention has been crucial in our choice of energy solution. A nuclear power plant can produce as much energy as Norway's largest wind farm at Fosen, but only requires an area equivalent to a football stadium. We believe the time is ripe for an open and fact-based investigation, in which Lund's residents should be closely involved in the process."
"Lund Municipality is leading the way as a good example of how Norway can meet both climate goals and nature conservation at the same time," said Norsk Kjernekraft CEO Jonny Hesthammer. "So far, we have been in dialogue with nearly 90 Norwegian municipalities, but Lund Municipality is one of the fastest and is well ahead in the queue to become a host municipality for an SMR.
"Globally, a nuclear power renaissance is now taking place, and never before has interest in this been greater in Norway. Through Dalane Kjernekraft, Lund can show Norway how municipalities can be strengthened through real sustainability in practice."
In June 2024, the Norwegian government appointed a committee to conduct a broad review and assessment of various aspects of a possible future establishment of nuclear power in the country. It must deliver its report by 1 April 2026.
