Nuclear power plant site plan
Fermi Energia is planning to build a modern small nuclear power plant in Estonia, which could be ready by 2035. In order to find a suitable location for this plant, a special national planning process will be carried out, during which, on the basis of studies and discussions between government officials, the developer, local residents and municipalities, the best solutions will be found to all the issues related to the construction of the plant.
Based on the preliminary study of Fermi Energia, the technically suitable areas for a small reactor are in the municipality of Viru-Nigula, near Kunda, in Lääne-Viru County, and in sparsely populated areas in the village of Aa, in the municipality of Lüganuse, in Ida-Viru County. As the developer of the plant, we have held dozens of meetings with local residents in both Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse municipalities, and will continue to do so during the national special planning process.
On this page you will find information on the planning process, the criteria for choosing a location and how to have your say in the planning process.
NOTE! Files can be large! Trade secret attachments are not public.
Annex 1 - Logistical information (business secret)
Annex 1.1 - Description of buildings and installations (business secret)
Annex 2 - Technical conditions for the connection of a nuclear power plant at Moldova 330 kV substation (business secret)
Annex 3 - Technical conditions for the connection of the nuclear power plant at Letipea 33kV substation (business secret)
Annex 4 - IAEA guidelines (SSR-1, SSG-35, SSG-16, NG-T-3.7)
Annex 5 - Fermi Energia SMR Feasibility study part 2, Tractebel 2021
Annex 6 - Site selection criteria
Annex 7 - Identification of candidates (business secret)
Annex 8 - Coordinates of the planning area
Annex 9 - Fermi REP Inclusion Matrix
Annex 10 - Consents of LAs to participate in REP with the locations given (Lüganuse, Viru-Nigula)
Annex 11 - Economic Impact Analysis, PWC 2022
Annex 12 - Socio-economic impact analysis, Cumulus Consulting 2021
Annex 13 - Low and intermediate level radioactive waste strategy, SKB 2021
Annex 14 - Nuclear energy, incl. Environmental impacts of small reactors, Hendrikson & Ko 2021
Annex 15 - Support for development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Programme, Fortum 2022
Annex 16 - Studies carried out and study plan
Annex 17 - Guarantee letter
Annex 18 - Individual financing for the development and construction of small reactors (business secret)
Annex 19 - Fermi Energia conceptual Statement of HR Development Strategy, Vattenfall 2022
Annex 20 - Fermi Energia HR Development Strategy, Vattenfall 2021 (business secret)
Annex 21 - Fermi Energia workforce and training plan, Vattenfall 2022 (business secret)
Annex 22 - Fermi Energy Staffing Roadmap (business secret)
Annex 23 - Fermi Energia AS extract from the MTA register
Table of contents
Involving local people
Calendar of upcoming meetings and events
We have organised over 60 information sessions and met with over 600 people in Aa, Aseri, Kiviõli, Kohtla-Järve, Kohtla-Nõmme, Kunda, Lüganuse, Mahu, Maidla, Moldova, Oandu, Püssi, Rääsa, Sava, Soonurmw, Viru-Nigula, Saka, Kadrina, Haljala, Rakvere, Varja and Lontova communities.
Which station is planned?
One possible solution for the siting of a nuclear power plant. Fermi Energia is planning to build a nuclear power plant with two 300MW reactors (power blocks), which will require a site of some tens of hectares. The exact land requirements will depend on the layout of the buildings and facilities, which in turn will depend on the conditions of the chosen site.
Possible locations for the nuclear power plant
Click on the map to see a larger version
A nuclear power plant needs the right conditions to work well. The choice of site is based on the findings of a study carried out as part of the final report of the national Nuclear Energy Task Force. space analysis. Analysis of the results of this study, based on previous studies, identified Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse municipalities as the best possible candidate sites, and the councils of both municipalities have also agreed to participate in the special national planning process to find the best possible location for the plant.
The main reasons why Fermi Energia considers the locations in the municipalities of Viru-Nigula and Lügnause to be the most suitable for the plant:
- Good for geological fitness, no geological faults.
- Mere Proximity and the seabed deepening.
- Industrial sites existence, where nuclear power plant would fit.
- Retrieved from with know-how population existence (subscribe at oil shale industries Staff).
- Good for socio-economic fitness (incremental Jobs from).
- Good for cooperation municipality with residents and municipality with officials.
- From on shale energy available at electricity network power and substations.
- Industrial clients (large consumers).
- Industrial ports existence (required fuel and reactor components for transport).
- Hey OK main routes Materials and components for transport construction during.
- Eligibility existing environmental sites and sufficient distance nature reserves.
Site selection process
Planning timetable
The national designated spatial plan involves extensive studies and also in-depth discussions - in the first phase, about 2 years. This will be followed by about 2 years of more site-specific detailed studies and final site approval. Only then can the developer submit an application to start construction.
-
2025 - 2027
REP Stage I
Pre-selection of location -
2027 - 2029
REP Phase II
Confirmation of location -
2031 - 2035
Construction of a nuclear power plant
-
2035 - 2036
Operating licence and start of production
Planning stages
Main studies carried out
| Study | Created by |
|---|---|
| Tractebel, Steiger | |
| Steiger, Tractebel | |
| Nuclear plant cooling solutions | WES |
| Aidu water survey | Maves |
| KSH/KMH study plan | Hendrikson, Fortum |
| External hazards | Tractebel |
| Initial position plans | Sweco |
| Regional and national socio-economic impacts Analysis | , Cumulus, PWC |
See background
Previous preliminary studies
Fermi Energy preliminary analysis
The preliminary study on the location of the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) is part of the 2020 feasibility study programme commissioned by Fermi Energia.
As part of the preliminary site investigation, Tractebel Engineering and Steiger OÜ have carried out an extensive nationwide survey to identify potential sites and, within these, preferred locations. The identified preferred sites represent potentially the best locations for a small modular reactor in Estonia.
The most promising sites are located in the study:
- in the municipality of Viru-Nigula Letipea peninsula*;
- in the municipality of Lüganuse Aidu** and Aa region.
* As a result of further analyses, potentially suitable sites were also identified to the side of Kunda harbour and to the east of the Estonian Cell production complex.
** Subsequent analysis has shown that the surplus water from existing and planned other water users is not sufficient for the plant and the location of the Aidu quarry cannot be considered.
Choosing the right technology for Estonia
Considering that Estonia has no previous experience in operating nuclear facilities and that there is a need to establish basic competence and ensure training of specialists, the IAEA experts recommended the following principles for the choice of technology:
- Exclude First of a Kind (FOAK)
- Do not choose a technology with which you have very little experience
- Select the reactor type for which fuel is produced by more than one manufacturer.
- Choose technologies for which technical know-how is available in neighbouring countries.
FOAK completion dates are closer for water-cooled reactors based on III+ technology, as most of the infrastructure for the production of these components is already in place today. The first reactors will be completed in 2028 in Canada.
That's why Fermi Energy chose experienced reactor manufacturer GE Hitachi for its small modular reactor. BWRX-300, the principles of which are well known in Finland and Sweden and the safety of which is proven. It also makes the process of issuing permits for them simpler and quicker, as regulators can rely to a large extent on existing standards and guidance material for this technology.
Spatial analysis of the national nuclear power plant site
From 2022 to 2023, an analysis was carried out at the request of the Spatial Analysis Subgroup of the Nuclear Energy Working Group in order to identify potential areas on the territory of the Republic of Estonia where a nuclear power plant and a radioactive waste disposal site could be built.
The report analyses in depth 11 areas: hydrography, topography, bathymetry, demography and settlement, anthropogenic hazards, geotechnics, geology, environmental hazards, heritage protection, environmental protection, infrastructure, land use, nuclear safety and plant requirements.
The spatial analysis used exclusion criteria to identify potential areas for a nuclear power plant and, in addition, potential areas for a geological disposal site for high-level radioactive waste.
The country selected 15 possible sites for the plant. Among these, two overlap with the sites selected by Fermi Energia: the Lüganuse and Kunda areas.
Potentially suitable sites may change with further research, knowledge (e.g. on technological
if the circumstances are more specific) or as part of the planning process.
Riigikogu decision
12.06.2024 The Riigikogu adopted a resolution on supporting the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia.
The Riigikogu's decision to support the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia includes the development of a draft Nuclear Energy and Safety Act and, if necessary, the amendment and supplementation of existing legislation, the establishment of a body to regulate the safe use of nuclear energy and the development of sectoral competences.
The Riigikogu has made a fundamental decision on whether to consider nuclear power generation in Estonia in the future. The decision is based primarily on the analysis carried out by the Nuclear Energy Working Group, which concluded that the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia is feasible.
Application for special national planning
14.01.2025 Fermi Energia submitted an application to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for the initiation of a special national planning procedure for a nuclear power plant with an electrical capacity of 600 MW.
A national specific plan is needed to find the best location for the planned nuclear power plant that will also satisfy local communities and municipalities.
The councils of the municipalities of Viru-Nigula and Lüganuse have adopted decisions to participate in the special plan.
According to the plan, more detailed studies will be carried out between 2027 and 2029 at the selected site and, once the planning process has been completed and the Nuclear Energy Regulatory Act has been adopted, the company plans to submit an application for a construction permit in 2029.
Construction of the plant is scheduled to start in 2031, with the first reactor producing electricity in the second half of 2035.
NOTE! Files can be large! Trade secret attachments are not public.
Annex 1 - Logistical information (business secret)
Annex 1.1 - Description of buildings and installations (business secret)
Annex 2 - Technical conditions for the connection of a nuclear power plant at Moldova 330 kV substation (business secret)
Annex 3 - Technical conditions for the connection of the nuclear power plant at Letipea 33kV substation (business secret)
Annex 4 - IAEA guidelines (SSR-1, SSG-35, SSG-16, NG-T-3.7)
Annex 5 - Fermi Energia SMR Feasibility study part 2, Tractebel 2021
Annex 6 - Site selection criteria
Annex 7 - Identification of candidates (business secret)
Annex 8 - Coordinates of the planning area
Annex 9 - Fermi REP Inclusion Matrix
Annex 10 - Consents of LAs to participate in REP with the locations given (Lüganuse, Viru-Nigula)
Annex 11 - Economic Impact Analysis, PWC 2022
Annex 12 - Socio-economic impact analysis, Cumulus Consulting 2021
Annex 13 - Low and intermediate level radioactive waste strategy, SKB 2021
Annex 14 - Nuclear energy, incl. Environmental impacts of small reactors, Hendrikson & Ko 2021
Annex 15 - Support for development of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Programme, Fortum 2022
Annex 16 - Studies carried out and study plan
Annex 17 - Guarantee letter
Annex 18 - Individual financing for the development and construction of small reactors (business secret)
Annex 19 - Fermi Energia conceptual Statement of HR Development Strategy, Vattenfall 2022
Annex 20 - Fermi Energia HR Development Strategy, Vattenfall 2021 (business secret)
Annex 21 - Fermi Energia workforce and training plan, Vattenfall 2022 (business secret)
Annex 22 - Fermi Energy Staffing Roadmap (business secret)
Annex 23 - Fermi Energia AS extract from the MTA register
Government decision in principle to launch a specific planning procedure
On 27.01.2025, the governing parties made a decision in principle to initiate a special planning procedure to find a site for a possible nuclear power plant.
Work will also continue on the development of a nuclear law. The Parliament is expected to decide on the nuclear law in 2027.