Meet Re:Heat – our bespoke district heating SMR-program

Helsinki, Finland; Göteborg, Sweden – Finnish nuclear technology company Steady Energy and Swedish project developer Kärnfull Next today announced a strategic partnership to introduce small modular reactors (SMRs) for district heating in Sweden, expanding SMR production in the Nordic region. Steady Energy is already set to build SMRs in Helsinki and Kuopio, Finland, with the first commercial unit in operation by 2030.

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Finnish SMR development market leader Steady Energy has partnered with Kärnfull Next, pioneers in Swedish nuclear energy project development. The collaboration leverages Kärnfull’s innovative financing structures and delivery models to bring Steady Energy’s world-leading district heating reactors to Sweden.

"We are delighted to collaborate with Steady Energy to bring their sleek, cost-effective solution to Sweden. With Steady’s reactor in our portfolio, we complement our electricity-focused Re:Firm SMR program with a new bespoke district heating program called Re:Heat, targeting municipalities in need of sustainable heating solutions", says Christian Sjölander, CEO of Kärnfull Next.

Steady Energy has previously signed letters of intent for the delivery of up to 15 reactors with Helsinki's local utility Helen and Kuopio Energy in Eastern Finland. The construction of the first commercial plant is projected to begin in 2028, with the first unit anticipated to be operational by 2030. Construction of the first SMR pilot plant in Finland begins already next year with candidate sites in Helsinki, Kuopio and Lahti.

Tommi Nyman, CEO of Steady Energy, highlights the role of heating in Sweden’s ambitious climate goals. “We are very proud to partner with trailblazers Kärnfull Next. Sweden’s electricity consumption is projected to increase significantly to meet net-zero targets, driven by the electrification of transport and industry. This necessitates corresponding clean heating energy to maintain Sweden's carbon commitments" says Nyman.

“People tend to forget that electricity is only a part of our energy mix. We also need scalable and sustainable solutions for our heating needs and beyond. Steady Energy’s Nordic-designed technology is ideal for ReHeat, our new district heating program,” adds Sjölander.

Sweden's district heating consumption amounts to approximately 50 terawatt-hours (TWh) per year, two-thirds of which comes from biomass, with fuel costs rising sharply in recent years. Generally, the future of biomass within district heating is debated, not least since it is seen to have more valuable alternative uses. Additionally, the combustion of biomass leads to the emission of biogenic greenhouse gases.

“Heating a large city with biomass requires a pile of logs the size of a football field every single day, with a constant stream of trucks around the clock. It’s high time that our societies limit burning wood to heat our homes. By combining our expertise, Steady Energy and Kärnfull Next are poised to bring SMR district heating to Sweden, speeding up ambitious climate and sustainability goals” says Nyman.