The Norwegian Water Resources & Energy Directorate (NVE), the Norwegian Radiation & Nuclear Safety Authority (DSA), and the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB) are responsible for preparing a recommendation for the EIA programme. The assessment will focus on the proposed SMR-based power plant at Taftøy Industrial Park, located on the border of Aure and Heim. The agencies aim to complete their recommendation by summer, no later than September 2025, ensuring compliance with Norwegian laws and international agreements. The Ministry of Energy noted: “The recommendation shall be based on the project owner’s proposal for an assessment programme, received consultation statements and the directorates’ own assessments.”
This initiative marks the first application of Norway’s nuclear legislation to a commercial power project, setting a precedent for future developments. Norsk Kjernekraft submitted its EIA proposal to the Ministry of Petroleum & Energy in November 2023, followed by public consultation in May 2024 and responses to feedback in January 2025. The proposed plant, if fully realized, would consist of multiple SMRs generating approximately 12.5 TWh of electricity annually, contributing to a stable and sustainable energy supply.
Norsk Kjernekraft aims to develop and operate SMR power plants in collaboration with energy-intensive industries, adhering to national regulations and international standards, including the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Milestones approach. The company is also exploring other potential sites for nuclear plants, including Vardø, Øygarden, and Halden. Hesthammer emphasized the project’s broader benefits, saying: “This is the first time Norway is taking concrete steps toward establishing nuclear power, an initiative that can deliver clean and sustainable energy for future generations.”
In June 2024, the government formed a committee to evaluate various aspects of nuclear power development, with a report due by 1 April 2026. Hesthammer expressed concern about the timeline, telling Montel: “I find it very surprising that they need two years to come to a decision that NVE should be in charge and that DSB and DSA should be involved. They could have done that a long time ago.” The EIA programme is a critical step toward informed decision-making for the proposed plant, which could enhance energy security and support sustainable economic growth in Norway.
