Sweden picks Rolls-Royce to supply new nuclear reactors
Sweden has selected Rolls-Royce SMR as one of two finalists to supply new nuclear reactors as part of its initiative to expand low-carbon energy production. Vattenfall, the Swedish energy company overseeing the project, announced the decision on July 18, 2025, following a rigorous evaluation of 75 potential suppliers. The two shortlisted technologies include the Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactor (SMR) and the BWRX-300 SMR from GE Vernova. The final supplier will be determined after further negotiations and regulatory assessments.
The project, located on the Värö Peninsula in western Sweden, aims to deploy either five GE Vernova reactors or three Rolls-Royce SMRs, with an estimated combined output of 1,500 MW. Each Rolls-Royce SMR is designed to generate 470 megawatts of low-carbon electricity, sufficient to power approximately one million homes for at least 60 years. The modular design allows for factory-built components, reducing on-site construction complexity and potentially lowering costs and timelines compared to traditional nuclear reactors.
Sweden’s decision aligns with broader global trends toward nuclear energy as a key component of decarbonization strategies. The country plans to increase electricity production by 100–250 TWh over the next 25 years, with nuclear energy playing a central role. Vattenfall emphasized that the selected SMRs offer technological maturity, manageable logistics, and lower investment risks compared to larger reactor designs.
Rolls-Royce SMR has already secured contracts in the UK and Czech Republic, where it is positioned as a leading SMR technology. In the UK, the company was selected by Great British Nuclear to supply the country’s first SMRs, with a final investment decision expected in 2029. In Sweden, the next steps include submitting an application for state risk-sharing and progressing toward final regulatory approvals.
The project also involves collaboration with the Swedish industrial consortium Industrikraft, which includes major industrial firms seeking support for long-term energy security and economic growth. Vattenfall’s CEO, Anna Borg, highlighted the importance of stable political conditions and stakeholder cooperation in ensuring the success of the initiative.
With global demand for nuclear energy rising, particularly among nations aiming to meet net-zero targets, the deployment of SMRs like those developed by Rolls-Royce represents a strategic investment in energy security and sustainable infrastructure.
