Nuclear power

In summer 2010 Swedish parliament passed a bill that lifted the ban on constructing new reactors and opened up new investment opportunities, provided that new units replace old units and are built at the existing sites. In June 2011Germany decided that nuclear power will be shut down and it will be a nuclear-free country by 2022.

Nuclear power is important in our electricity generation. On account of its very low CO₂ emissions, environmental performance, competitiveness and safe operation, nuclear power will continue to be an important part of the energy system in the foreseeable future. We believe that nuclear power is needed as a stable base power source and Vattenfall’s roadmap calls for expansion of total nuclear power generation in markets where there is confidence in this source of energy.

This includes renewing current capacity and potentially investing in new and more efficient capacity. However, the share of nuclear power in the total portfolio is expected to decline since other energy sources are expected to grow more.

Efficiency in power generation

We are continuously investing in modern technology, higher safety and better environmental performance in our plants. In the Swedish nuclear power plants Ringhals and Forsmark, reinvestments are being made to modernise and adapt operations to new safety and environmental requirements. This will contribute to an increase in production capacity by a total effect of about 1000 MW.

Enhancing efficiency in power generation has positive effects both environmentally and economically. The environmental benefits are substantial – by producing more with less, uranium mining is reduced, as is the need for handling spent nuclear fuel.

Less fuel needed and less waste generated

Uranium requirements, Ringhals 2