In an ambitious stride toward its ecological targets, Sweden is eyeing the doubling of its electricity production within the next two decades. This strategic move has been unveiled by the Ministry of the Environment, and the blueprint for achievement entails the construction of ten novel nuclear reactors.
At present, Sweden operates six nuclear reactors spread across three nuclear power plants, which collectively contribute to a third of the nation’s electric power output. Simultaneously, legislative amendments are underway to raise the cap on the maximum permissible number of nuclear reactors in the country from the current ten.
Harking back to the 1980 referendum, Swedes demonstrated their support for a gradual phasing out of nuclear energy. Subsequently, Sweden shut down six of its twelve reactors.
However, a turning point emerged in 2016 when the parliamentary majority endorsed an uptick in nuclear energy production.
In alignment with these developments, the incumbent right-leaning government has announced its intent to construct fresh reactors while recalibrating the ecological objectives from “100% renewable energy” to “100% non-fossil energy.”
The planned construction of new reactors seeks to replace the aging ones from the 1970s and 1980s, thus ensuring an up-to-date and resilient energy infrastructure for the future.