Fermi Energia has submitted an application to Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to start the state spatial planning process for a 600MW nuclear power plant.
This move comes a decade after Estonia’s government first approved reactor construction.
The power station will include two GE Hitachi (GEH) BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) as part of Estonia’s plan to expand its energy infrastructure. The nuclear power capacity would complement Estonia’s existing and planned renewable energy resources.
BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems, based on GEH’s ESBWR boiling water reactor design and licensing.
Fermi Energia said the application marks six years of planning, including 71 studies, collaboration with 32 partners, and a total investment of €1.4m in research and analysis.
The privately held nuclear energy company also held over 50 information sessions across the Virumaa region of northeastern Estonia, engaging 500+ residents across 15 localities, including Aa, Aseri, Kiviõli, and Kohtla-Järve.
The municipal councils of Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse have agreed to join the spatial planning process, with decisions made in September 2023 and March 2024, respectively.
Estonia’s nuclear power project will consist of three phases.
During the initial site pre-selection phase from 2025 to 2027, a thorough evaluation of potential sites near Kunda in Viru-Nigula County and Aa village in Lüganuse County will take place.
During the site confirmation phase (2027-2029), detailed site-specific studies will be conducted that will assess technical compatibility and analysis of location-based factors.
Fermi Energia plans to submit a construction permit application in 2029, with construction for the proposed plant starting in 2031.
The first of two SMRs is expected to be operational by mid-2035.
Fermi Energia CEO Kalev Kallemets said: “A state spatial plan is essential for identifying the optimal nuclear power plant location that aligns with both technical requirements and community interests.
“While initiating this planning process doesn’t guarantee construction, it establishes the foundation for future decision-making.
“Recent trends in electricity consumption underscore Estonia’s need for reliable, controllable energy capacity to ensure system stability and maintain competitive electricity prices in the coming decades.”
Fermi Energia was founded by Estonian energy and nuclear professionals to develop SMR deployment in Estonia.
In July 2019, the nuclear energy company initiated a feasibility study on SMRs’ suitability for Estonia’s electricity supply and climate goals beyond 2030, following a financing round from investors and shareholders.
