🇸🇪 Nuclear pioneers Steady Energy and Kärnfull next partner for sustainable Swedish district heating

Nuclear pioneers Steady Energy and Kärnfull Next Partner for Sustainable Swedish District Heating

Helsinki, Finland; Göteborg, Sweden – Finnish nuclear technology company Steady Energy and Swedish project developer Kärnfull Next today announced a strategic partnership to introduce small modular reactors (SMRs) for district heating inSweden, expanding SMR production in the Nordic region. Steady Energy is already set to build SMRs in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland, with the first commercial unitin operation by 2030.

Finnish SMR development market leader Steady Energy has partnered with Kärnfull Next, pioneers in Swedish nuclear energy project development. The collaboration leverages Kärnfull’s innovative financing structures and delivery models to bring Steady Energy’s world-leading district heating reactors to Sweden.

“We are delighted to collaborate with Steady Energy to bring their sleek, cost-effective solution to Sweden. WithSteady’s reactor in our portfolio, we complement our electricity-focused ReFirmSouth SMR program with a new bespoke district heating offer for municipalitiesin need of sustainable heating solutions”, says Christian Sjölander, CEO of Kärnfull Next.

Steady Energy has previously signed letters of intent for the delivery of up to 15 reactors with Helsinki’s local utility Helen and Kuopio Energy in Eastern Finland. The construction of the first commercial plant is projected to begin in 2028, with the first unit anticipated to be operationalby 2030. Construction of the first SMR pilot plant in Finland begins already nextyear with candidate sites in Helsinki, Kuopio and Lahti.

Tommi Nyman, CEO of Steady Energy, highlights the role of heating in Sweden’s ambitious climate goals. “We are very proud topartner with trailblazers Kärnfull Next. Sweden’s electricity consumption isprojected to increase significantly to meet net-zero targets, driven by the electrification of transport and industry. This necessitates corresponding clean heating energy to maintain Sweden’s carbon commitments” says Nyman.

“People tend to forget that electricity is onlya part of our energy mix. We also need scalable and sustainable solutions for our heating needs and beyond. Steady Energy’s Nordic-designed technology isideal for ReHeat, our new district heating program,” adds Sjölander.

Sweden’s district heating consumption amounts to approximately 50 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year, two-thirds of which comesfrom biomass, with fuel costs rising sharply in recent years. Generally, the future of biomass within district heating is debated, not least since it is seen tohave more valuable alternative uses. Additionally, the combustion of biomass leads to the emission of biogenic greenhouse gases.

“Heating a large city with biomass requires a pile of logs the size of a football field every single day, with a constant stream of trucks around the clock. It’s high time that our societies limit burning wood to heat our homes. By combining our expertise, Steady Energy andKärnfull Next are poised to bring SMR district heating to Sweden, speeding up ambitious climate and sustainability goals” says Nyman.

‍For more information and interview requests:

Lauri Muranen, Director, Steady Energy Ltd

+358407076637, [email protected]

John Eliasson, Head of Business Development,Kärnfull Next

+46 733 810 970, [email protected]