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Sweden prepares compensation framework to secure nuclear investments

The Swedish government aims to establish a right to compensation for operators if a political reversal leads to the early shutdown of nuclear plants, in a move to reduce investment risks.

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Sweden has appointed a special investigator to design a compensation mechanism for nuclear reactor owners in the event of politically driven shutdowns. The initiative is intended to secure long-term investments in the nuclear sector and minimise uncertainty caused by regulatory shifts.

A mechanism to prevent regulatory instability

Anne Vadasz Nilsson has been tasked with drafting proposals on the right to compensation should political decisions force a reactor decommissioning. Her assignment is part of an agreement between the ruling coalition and the Sweden Democrats. The government says the measure will strengthen predictability and support investment in civil nuclear power.

The scope of the investigation includes defining political decisions that would trigger compensation, identifying eligible stakeholders, and assessing cases where projects were cancelled prior to commissioning. It will also propose a method for calculating compensation and how it should be financed. An interim report is due by 29 June 2026, with the final version expected by 1 December 2026.

Guarantees seen as key to unlocking capital

Minister for Energy and Enterprise Ebba Busch stated that the scheme was necessary for nuclear plant owners to invest without fear that “politics will pull the rug out from under them.” Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson added that a secure, fossil-free electricity supply is vital for economic growth and job creation in Sweden.

Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari noted that the financial risks involved in building nuclear power justify a system to shield against political volatility. Tobias Andersson, economic policy spokesperson for the Sweden Democrats, said the mechanism would make it harder to shut down existing or planned facilities.

A strategic shift in Sweden’s nuclear revival

Since October 2022, Sweden’s centre-right government has taken a pro-nuclear stance. In November 2023, it published a roadmap outlining plans to build nuclear capacity equivalent to at least two large-scale reactors by 2035, with up to ten reactors operational by 2045.

A new state aid law came into effect on 1 August, allowing interested companies to apply for financial support. The policy aims to provide regulatory stability to attract long-term capital for the sector’s revival.

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