Swedish small modular reactor (SMR) developer Kärnfull Next has secured permanent land rights for its planned nuclear power project in Valdemarsvik, Östergötland county.
This development follows an earlier agreement with the landowner, Latona Group, for exploration rights, reinforcing the project’s long-term feasibility.
The 1300-hectare site, previously identified in the 1970s as suitable for nuclear power, is intended to host between four and six small light water reactors. If fully developed, the site could generate 10-15 TWh annually—an output significant enough to support energy-intensive industries expected to emerge in the 2030s, including AI data centers.
Kärnfull Next’s progress in Valdemarsvik aligns with its broader Re:Firm South SMR initiative, which seeks to expand carbon-free and dispatchable energy production across southern Sweden. The project will proceed in collaboration with local municipalities, regional stakeholders, and industrial partners.
A memorandum of understanding signed in December with South Korea’s Samsung C&T underscores the global interest in Sweden’s nuclear expansion. Samsung C&T is set to contribute its engineering and construction expertise, facilitating the technical and economic planning of the SMR deployment.
With land secured, Kärnfull Next must now navigate Sweden’s permitting and regulatory frameworks. The company’s strategy involves maintaining an open dialogue with local authorities and industry players to address societal and environmental concerns. By consolidating multiple SMR sites under one program, Kärnfull Next aims to streamline licensing processes and optimize economies of scale in procurement, financing, and construction.
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