Svalbard Kjernekraft has formally submitted a proposal to the Governor of Svalbard for an assessment programme to evaluate the installation of a small modular reactor (SMR) in Longyearbyen, marking the first step toward establishing nuclear power on the Arctic archipelago.
The initiative seeks to replace the coal-fired plant that powered the settlement until 2023, which has since been substituted with temporary diesel systems, driving up costs and reducing energy reliability. The project is part of broader efforts to secure continuous, low-carbon energy in remote Arctic locations.
The joint venture, owned by Swedish developer Blykalla and Norsk Kjernekraft, plans to deploy the SEALER (Swedish Advanced Lead-cooled Reactor), a fast compact reactor with passive safety features. Each unit has a 55 MWe capacity, with potential scalability through multiple installations. SEALER uses 19.9% enriched nitride fuel and a minimal core design to achieve fast-spectrum criticality, positioning it as a compact, high-efficiency solution suitable for isolated grids.
The submitted proposal outlines environmental, safety, and societal considerations, including biodiversity impacts, waste management, local employment, and business ripple effects. The next stage involves the Governor setting the scope for an environmental impact assessment (EIA), after which detailed studies and stakeholder consultations will inform the licensing and construction process.
Blykalla emphasizes the project’s broader relevance, stating that Longyearbyen could become a showcase for SMR technology in regions with constrained energy capacity, both in the Nordics and globally. This project follows an MoU signed earlier in 2025 between the two companies to assess SEALER’s integration into Scandinavian energy projects, covering site suitability, regulatory pathways, and economic feasibility, underscoring a coordinated approach to advanced nuclear deployment in the region.
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