Swedish nuclear energy company Blykalla and Norway’s Norsk Kjernekraft have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on the possible deployment of Blykalla’s SEALER reactor design in Scandinavia. They will assess the business case for integrating the SEALER into power plant projects currently under development by Norsk Kjernekraft, evaluating site suitability, regulatory pathways, and economic feasibility for deployment in Norway.
Blykalla, founded in 2013, is a spin-off from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Its SMR prototype SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead-cooled Reactor) design is a fast compact reactor with passive safety. Each reactor will have a 55 MWe capacity, which can be increased by installing multiple units at the same location. The reactor is designed with the smallest possible core that can achieve criticality in a fast spectrum using 19.9% enriched nitride fuel.
The agreement outlines collaboration on licensing, financing, construction, and operational aspects of Blykalla’s SEALER-One, in Sweden. Norsk Kjernekraft will explore various roles in the Swedish market, including potential participation in the SEALER-One project company and investment opportunities in Blykalla.
The MOU also includes a commitment to explore the possibility of providing electricity to remote locations. This initiative could contribute to long-term advancements in energy security, sovereignty, and sustainability in locations such as Svalbard and northern Scandinavia.
“Collaborating with Norsk Kjernekraft is a natural step forward as we bring lead-cooled SMRs to Scandinavia,” said Blykalla CEO Jacob Stedman. “By joining forces, we can accelerate the path to deployment in both Sweden and Norway while contributing to stable and clean energy for the region.”
Norsk Kjernekraft CEO Jonny Hesthammer said the partnership “aligns with Norsk Kjernekraft’s mission to develop and implement next-generation nuclear power solutions”. He added: “By assessing the feasibility of SEALER reactors in our projects, we aim to bring innovative and reliable nuclear power to the Scandinavian energy landscape.”
