NPP site layout
Fermi Energia plans to build a modern, low-capacity nuclear power plant in Estonia, which is scheduled to be commissioned in 2035. A special national planning process is needed to select the best site. This will involve studies and discussions with the state, the project developer, local residents and local authorities to find the best solutions to all issues related to the construction of the plant.
According to Fermi Energia's preliminary study, the areas in Lääne-Viru County (Viru Nigula Parish, Kunda District) and Ida-Viru County (Liuganuse Parish, Aa Village) are technically suitable for the siting of a small reactor. As the project proponent, we have already held dozens of meetings with local residents in both regions and will continue to engage in an active dialogue during the state special planning process.
On this page, you will find information on the planning process, the criteria for selecting a nuclear power plant site and how to get involved in the discussions.
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
List of sections
Involving local people
To engage local people and raise awareness, we organised more than 50 information meetings in Virumaa, in which more than 500 participants (about 270 in Viru Nigula and about 230 in Lugano).
Information meetings were held in the following localities: Aa, Aseri, Kiviõli, Kohtla-Järve, Kohtla-Nõmme, Kunda, Luganouze, Mahu, Meidla, Moldova, Oandu, Püssi, Riaasa, Sawala, Soonurme and Viru-Nigula.
Calendar of future meetings and events
What type of nuclear power plant is planned?
Fermi Energia plans to build a nuclear power plant with two reactors of 300 MW each, which will require a land plot of several dozens of hectares. The exact amount of land required will depend on the location of the facilities, which in turn will depend on the site conditions.
Possible locations for NPPs
Click on the map to see it in larger scale.
A nuclear power plant requires appropriate conditions for its operation. The choice of site is based on spatial analysis, carried out as part of the final report of the Working Group on Nuclear Energy. Based on the results of this analysis and building on previous studies, two potential sites were identified in the Viru Nigula and Luganouza municipalities. Both local governments have agreed to participate in a state special planning process aimed at identifying the best possible site for a nuclear power plant.
The main reasons why the sites in Viru Nigula and Luganouza municipalities are considered by Fermi Energia as the most suitable for the construction of the plant:
- Good geological suitability, no geological disturbance.
- Proximity to the sea and increased seabed depth.
- The presence of industrial zones that could be used to host a nuclear power plant.
- Availability of skilled workers (employees of shale power plants that are being closed).
- Good socio-economic compatibility (job creation).
- Effective cooperation with local residents and authorities.
- Electricity capacity released and substations after the closure of shale power plants.
- Industrial customers (large energy consumers).
- Availability of industrial ports needed for the transport of fuel and reactor components.
- A well-developed transport infrastructure providing easy access for the transportation of materials and components during construction.
- Compatibility with existing ecological sites and sufficient distance to protected areas.
Additional materials
The process of identifying a building site
Planning schedule
In the first phase, public special planning involves extensive studies that will take about 2 years. This will be followed by detailed site-specific studies, which will take about 2 more years, and final approval of the site. Only once these stages have been completed will the developer be in a position to apply to start construction.
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2025 - 2027
Step I: Preliminary site assessment
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2027 - 2029
Step II: Approval of the selected site
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2031 - 2035
Construction of a nuclear power plant
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2035 - 2036
Obtaining a permit to operate and start generating electricity
Key planning studies
| Study | Executive |
|---|---|
| Tractebel, Steiger | |
| Steiger, Tractebel | |
| Cooling solutions for nuclear power plants | WES |
| Aidu water resources study | Maves |
| Environmental Impact Assessment Study Plan | Hendrikson, Fortum |
| External risk factors | Tractebel |
| Original location plans | Sweco |
| Assessment of socio-economic impacts at regional and country level | , Cumulus, PWC |
Additional materials
Previous studies
Preliminary analysis of Fermi Energy
The preliminary siting study for the small modular reactor is part of a programme of feasibility studies commissioned by Fermi Energia in 2020.
As part of this study, Tractebel Engineering and Steiger OÜ conducted a comprehensive survey across Estonia to identify potential locations and to determine the most preferred ones. The selected preferred sites represent the optimal locations for the construction of a small modular reactor in Estonia.
Based on the results of the study, the most potential sites are located:
- onshore LETIP in the parish of Viru Nigula*;
- in the parish of Liuganus, in the districts of Aydu** и Aa.
* Additional analyses have identified possible suitable sites also close to the port of Kunda and east of the Estonian Cell production complex.
** A later study showed that existing and planned water users were insufficient to meet the needs of the nuclear power plant and therefore the Aidu quarry site could not be considered.
Choosing the right technology for Estonia
Taking into account the lack of experience in the operation of nuclear facilities in Estonia and the need for basic competencies and training, the IAEA experts recommended the following principles for the choice of technology:
- Eliminate the First of a Kind (FOAK) reactor.
- Do not choose a technology with limited experience.
- Select a reactor for which there are several nuclear fuel suppliers.
- Focus on technology for which technical expertise is available in neighbouring countries.
The readiness timeframe for FOAK is the shortest for water-cooled Type III+ reactors, as the basic infrastructure for their components is already in place. The first such reactors are expected to be ready in 2028 in Canada.
On the basis of these recommendations, Fermi Energia has chosen a small modular reactor. BWRX-300, manufactured by GE Hitachi. This technology is already well known in Finland and Sweden and has been proven safe in practice. Also, the process of obtaining permits for such reactors is simpler and faster, as regulators can rely on existing standards and guidance materials.
State analysis of possible locations for nuclear power plants
In 2022-2023, an analysis was commissioned by the Spatial Analysis Subgroup of the Working Party on Nuclear Energy to determine whether there are potential areas for the construction of a nuclear power plant and final disposal sites for radioactive waste in the Republic of Estonia.
The report has carefully analysed 11 different areas: hydrography, topography, bathymetry, demography and settlement, human risks, geotechnics, geology, environmental risks, cultural heritage protection, environmental protection, infrastructure, land use, nuclear safety requirements and nuclear power plant requirements.
The spatial analysis identified potential areas for a nuclear power plant using exclusion criteria, as well as additional possible areas for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste.
The state has selected 15 possible sites for a nuclear power plant. Among them, two sites coincide with those chosen by Fermi Energia: the districts of Lүganouze and Kunda.
Potentially suitable sites may change through further research, refinements in knowledge (e.g. technological characteristics) or through the planning process.
Parliament decision
12.06.2024 Riigikogu decides to support the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia
The Riigikogu's decision to support the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia includes the drafting of a law on nuclear energy and safety, and, if necessary, amendments and additions to existing legislation, the establishment of a body to regulate the safe use of nuclear energy, and the development of relevant competences in this field.
The Riigikogu has taken a decision in principle to consider the possibility of nuclear power generation in Estonia in the future. This decision is based primarily on the analysis of the working group on nuclear energy, according to which the introduction of nuclear energy in Estonia is feasible.
Application for State Special Planning
14.01.2025 Fermi Energia has submitted an application to the Ministry of Economy and Communications to start the state special planning of a 600 MW nuclear power plant.
State special planning is needed to determine the best location for the planned nuclear power plant to meet the needs of local communities and local governments.
The councils of the municipalities of Viru Nigula and Luganoose have decided to participate in the ad hoc planning process.
According to the plan, more detailed studies of the selected site will be carried out between 2027 and 2029 and, once the planning process is complete and the law governing nuclear power is passed, the company plans to apply for a construction permit in 2029.
Construction of the nuclear power plant is due to start in 2031, with the first reactor generating 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
The Government has taken a decision in principle to launch ad hoc planning
27.01.2025 Government parties have decided in principle to launch a special planning exercise to find the site of a possible nuclear power plant.
At the same time, work on a law on nuclear energy continues. Parliament is expected to take a decision on this law in 2027.
Additional materials
Principles for the siting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sites
Other studies.
- Geological study for the foundations of the reactor at Letipiae | Video.
- Compliance of the Estonian legal system for geological disposal of spent nuclear fuel | Video
- What kind of specialists will we need to run a nuclear power plant? | Video
- Impact of small reactor construction on socio-economic situation | Video