S'abonner

Estonia: Fermi Energia Initiates Site Selection Process for a 600 MW Nuclear Plant

Fermi Energia has submitted an application to Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs to begin the spatial planning process for a 600 MW nuclear power plant, marking a key step in the country's energy transition.

Share:

After years of rigorous preparation, Fermi Energia, an Estonian company specializing in nuclear energy, has initiated the site selection process for a 600 MW nuclear power plant. The company has officially submitted an application to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications to begin the necessary spatial planning.

This project is based on six years of extensive research, including 71 detailed studies and partnerships with 32 organizations. These efforts required an investment of €1.4 million, divided between technical analyses and public engagement. More than 50 information sessions were held across 15 localities in the Virumaa region, involving over 500 residents.

Critical Local Engagement

The municipal councils of Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse have already expressed their support for the project, approving their participation in the planning process in 2023 and 2024. The initial phases of site pre-selection, scheduled between 2025 and 2027, will focus on areas near Kunda and the village of Aa.

Between 2027 and 2029, detailed site-specific studies will be conducted to assess their technical compatibility and analyze geographic parameters. The ultimate goal is to submit a construction permit application in 2029, with construction beginning in 2031 and the first reactor operational by 2035.

Innovative Energy Model

The project relies on GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy’s BWRX-300 model, a 300 MW electric small modular reactor (SMR). This innovative design, featuring natural circulation and passive safety systems, builds on the experience of the already licensed ESBWR reactor.

Support for the project was strengthened by a resolution adopted by the Estonian parliament in 2024, creating a regulatory framework for the integration of nuclear energy. This initiative aligns with the national strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and diversifying the energy mix.

Energy Prospects

Currently, Estonia heavily depends on fossil fuels, particularly oil shale, for electricity generation. However, adopting nuclear energy represents a reliable, low-carbon solution to meet growing energy needs while ensuring competitive electricity prices.

“The spatial plan is essential for identifying the optimal location for the plant, balancing technical requirements with community interests,” said Kalev Kallemets, CEO of Fermi Energia. This initiative reflects Estonia’s commitment to enhancing its electrical grid stability while addressing long-term climate challenges.

  • Populaires ​
MN8 Energy raises $575mn with Natixis CIB to strengthen its US solar debt
Carbon2Nature and Uría Menéndez launch reforestation of 90 hectares in Salamanca
TNB, Petronas and Terengganu Inc launch green hydrogen hub and hybrid solar in Malaysia
Occidental Petroleum reduces production in the Gulf of Mexico in the second quarter
Azule Energy announces major offshore gas discovery in the Angolan Congo Basin
Bahrain signs civil nuclear agreement with the United States and announces $17bn in public investments
Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power completes installation of third prototype vessel in Oak Ridge
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
UK and Czech Republic sign agreement to accelerate civil nuclear development
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Nuclear Waste in France: Experts Call for Strengthened Safety Measures
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan seals deal with Hungary for nuclear cooling technology
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Warsaw seeks EU green light for $49bn nuclear project
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
China urged to strengthen its nuclear regulator to keep pace with growth
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Ukraine: Energoatom signs major agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Iran Relaunches Nuclear Dialogue to Negotiate with the United States, Russia Supports a No-Enrichment Deal
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower awards three major contracts for its Natrium reactor in the United States
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
EnergyX acquires 35,000 acres of US lithium from Pantera Lithium
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
Canada: CCSN approves the ARC-100 reactor design review
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
Lithuanian nuclear operator SE Ignalina signs agreement with Newcleo
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egypt: Supplementary agreements signed for the El Dabaa nuclear power plant
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra obtains approval to extend Perry nuclear plant operations
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF injects €1.3 billion into Sizewell C, its second British EPR
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
France: Cigéo nuclear waste underground storage project makes significant progress
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF launches its nuclear Technocentre in Fessenheim, estimated investment of €450 million
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear signs strategic agreement with UrAmerica on Argentine uranium
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
SHINE and Standard Nuclear form strategic partnership on recycled fuel
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.

LEGAL

FOSSILS

POLICY

RENEWABLE

PLUS

© XMARKET PUBLISHING