Swedish state energy company Vattenfall is planning to undertake a public consultation for a new nuclear unit west of the existing Ringhals’ power station in southwest Sweden.

The move following a preliminary technical and commercial feasibility study on building at least two small modular reactors (SMRs) at Ringhals during the first half of the 2030s, according to a company statement on 19 February.

“As the next step, in the spring of 2024, Vattenfall will invite a local consultation at the same time as we continue the dialogue with suppliers and the evaluation of reactor technology and delivery models,” said Desirée Comstedt, head of new nuclear power at Vattenfall.

“We also continue in other ways to prepare the application according to the environmental code and the nuclear technology act as well as to secure the area by completing the acquisition of properties.”