Nuclear Power in Norway: Why, Where and When?🔋

Norway is moving towards a significant electricity deficit, driven by electrification of transport and industry, rapid growth of data centres, offshore decarbonisation and general demand growth. Hydropower alone will not keep up - and large new wind developments face growing resistance due to land use, environmental impact and local acceptance.

It is against this backdrop that the discussion around nuclear energy, in particular Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), is accelerating. November's talk by Dr. Scient. Susanne Møgster Sperrevik, COO of M Vest Energy, co-founder within the M Vest Group and board member of Norsk Kjernekraft AS, highlighted this shift with a pragmatic, industry-led perspective.

"Despite Norway's significant hydropower resources, around half of the energy mix is still provided by fossil fuels. To reach net zero by 2050 we need to nearly double electricity production, adding approximately 100-150 TWh"

Susanne shared how M Vest Energy unexpectedly entered the nuclear debate while seeking to electrify an offshore platform. Here, neither the onshore power grid nor floating wind solutions were able to deliver the stable, continuous and sufficient power needed. Nuclear energy emerged as the only option that was both technically feasible and economically realistic - a conclusion that is increasingly being echoed across energy-intensive industries.

"Local businesses in Norway are already in need of energy. One SMR can produce 2.5-12.5 TWh/yr, independent of the weather, have low land use, minimal impact on the environment and are attractive for municipalities. While windmills and solar panels demand much more area, produce less energy (0.16 TWh for this case) and are less reliable (yellow on the image/map above indicates the area of land needed to be covered by solar panels to produce the same amount of energy as one SMR Nuclear Plant)"

Susanne walked the audience through Norway's existing legal and regulatory framework, the rapid change in political sentiment and the surprisingly strong level of municipal interest. Nearly 100 municipalities have already engaged in discussions around nuclear power, with several local SPVs (separate project companies) established in collaboration with industrial partners. Susanne also reminded the audience that Norway has more than 70 years of nuclear competence, strong academic and research environments, and an industrial supply chain well aligned with the development and operation of nuclear facilities.

To understand the room, we ran a short audience questionnaire prior to the talk:

• Knowledge level: average 4.5/10 - curious but not experts

• Local acceptance: 43% positive towards an SMR in their municipality, 25% neutral and 25% sceptical - a real mix

• Associations with "nuclear": a broad mix of opportunity and concern, ranging from "Unlimited energy" and "Power" to "Radiation" and "Expensive"

Thoughts around the room prior to the talk

These responses closely mirror the national conversation: an open and increasingly informed debate, ongoing questions and a growing recognition that nuclear power may become a necessary component in securing energy supply, industrial competitiveness and climate targets in the decade ahead.

"Just a couple of years ago political views to Nuclear Energy were completely different and rather negative in comparison to current views"

A big thank you to Susanne for a clear, honest and highly engaging presentation - and for helping to move this important and timely conversation forward.

We look forward to seeing you at our next event!✨

Sincerely,

EAGE Local Chapter of Stavanger