Nuclear Power Plants – Carbon-neutral energy production with nuclear power

Nuclear power is one of Finland’s most important energy sources. Sweco has been involved in the design of all Finnish nuclear power plant projects for over 50 years. Nuclear power supports a controlled phase-out of fossil fuels.

Nuclear power generates stable and consistent electrical energy regardless of the season or weather conditions. In the future, small nuclear power plants can also produce heat. The construction of nuclear power plants supports the efficient use of renewable energy and energy self-sufficiency, making nuclear power crucial for the green transition of energy companies, industries, and whole society.

Over 50 years of experience in nuclear power projects

Sweco has been involved in all Finnish nuclear power projects for five decades, earning us recognition internationally. We offer design and consulting services for the entire lifecycle of nuclear power plants, from preliminary studies to plant design and waste disposal. Our goal is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of nuclear power plants.

In addition to our experience, Sweco’s strengths in nuclear power projects include extensive resources and an international network of experts. We can adapt to different roles based on the client’s needs, such as nuclear power specialists, designers, and owner’s engineers (OE), as well as various roles and phases in construction management.

Nuclear power plant design

Sweco is trusted in various stages of designing new nuclear power plants as well as ongoing plant modification and refurbishment projects. We also support the maintenance and operating life extension of existing facilities. We are familiar with design norms and standards related to nuclear power construction in different countries, allowing us to efficiently carry out the design process.

Waste management and decommissioning of nuclear power plants

Responsible nuclear power production involves the controlled decommissioning of plants, as well as temporary storage and final disposal of nuclear waste. We have designed decommissioning projects and waste management solutions for nuclear power plants in Finland and around the world. Finland is the first country to have a sustainable solution for the final disposal of nuclear waste at the Posiva encapsulation facility.

Small Modular Reactors (SMR)

Small Modular Reactors are a potential solution for carbon-neutral electricity and heat production in the near future. The technology and safety requirements for small nuclear power plants are the same as for large-scale facilities, which is why Sweco is an experienced partner in the design of SMRs.

SMRs can produce both electricity and heat. Small nuclear power provides solutions for carbon-neutral district heating in municipalities and cities, meets the needs of heavy industries, and facilitates the utilization of green hydrogen. We are involved in the preliminary design of Finland’s first SMRs in collaboration with Steady Energy.

The advantages of small nuclear power plants include lower investment and operating costs compared to large-scale facilities. Modularity reduces construction time, speeds up commissioning, and allows for efficient serial production and approval processes. Modular construction also improves quality as the plant can be manufactured to a large extent in controlled conditions at the factory.

Sweco’s services for nuclear power projects

Preliminary Design Phase

• Conceptualization of nuclear power plants
• Feasibility studies, such as site investigations and environmental studies
• Alternative comparisons
• Cost estimation
• Environmental impact assessment (EIA)
• Permit processes and cooperation with authorities
• Computational analyses and safety assessments, e.g., seismic, collision, and explosion analyses.

General and Detailed Design Phase

• Site design
• Layout design
• Process design
• Structural design
• HVAC, electrical and automation design
• External review of plans.

Construction Phase

• Project management and construction supervision
• Owner’s consulting
• Quality assurance and control

Operation, Maintenance, and Decommissioning

• Expert services during operation, such as safety, maintenance, and operating life extension
• Decommissioning planning
• Temporary waste storage design
• Final disposal design and consulting.

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