Scandinavian country says framework in place for considering ‘potential and risks’
Denmark is considering building small modular reactors (SMRs) to meet its energy needs, the climate and energy ministry said, which would bring an end to its 1985 ban on nuclear power.
A framework for investigating the “potentials and risks” of new nuclear technologies and the lifting of the moratorium was now in place, the ministry said in a statement.
“Green energy from solar and wind is now and will continue to be the backbone of the Danish energy supply, but we can also see that it cannot stand alone,” said Denmark’s climate, energy and utilities minister Lars Aagaard.
“We must be open to examining whether other technologies can provide us with green energy in the future,” he said. “Small modular nuclear reactors may be an option.”
SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW of electricity per unit, or about a third of the generating capacity of a traditional large-scale nuclear power reactor.
Developers of SMRs say they are relatively simple to build, which makes them more affordable than large power reactors.
Smaller reactors including SMRs and microreactors can be used for power generation, but also for district heating, and industrial applications such as oil refining, desalination and steel production.
The ministry said the government was seeking more information on regulatory processes, safety issues, handling of radioactive waste, competencies and cost before making a political decision.
The Danish parliament, which voted to ban nuclear power from its energy production in 1985, agreed early last year to begin examining new nuclear power technologies as a possible energy source.
Wind power accounts for 58% of Denmark’s electricity production, biofuels 18%, solar power 11%, and waste and coal 5% each, according to 2024 figures from the International Energy Agency.
Industry Groups Form Nuclear Alliance
Last month Danish industry groups joined forces to form an alliance which aims to promote nuclear energy as the Scandinavian country reconsiders its 40-year ban on reactors in what would be a major policy shift.
The groups include the Confederation of Danish Industry, the Danish Metalworkers’ Union, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation, an independent enterprise organisation.
They said the Danish Nuclear Power Alliance will advocate for investment in and the construction of nuclear power plants, particularly SMRs, as a way of securing energy independence and meeting carbon reduction goals.
The initiative represents a notable shift in Denmark’s historical approach, which has largely focused on renewable energy.
Denmark has never had commercial nuclear power plants, although it did have three small research reactors that have all been shut down and are being decommissioned.
In recent years, several conservative parties in parliament have opened up to the idea of legalising nuclear power in Denmark.
In May, prime minister Mette Frederiksen said she was open to relaxing the ban.
