Sweden’s nuclear power policy is set to expand as the government on 7 October 2025 sent out a draft to exempt nuclear installations from coastal protection rules, opening large parts of the country’s coastline and archipelagos to potential nuclear power sites.
The proposal was presented by Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari (klimat- och miljöministern). The consultation (remiss) begins today, with the cabinet aiming for the amendments to enter into force in July 2026.
What changes in Sweden’s Environmental Code
The proposal would remove current bans on nuclear facilities in extensive stretches of the Swedish coast that are today shielded from industrial development. According to the draft, exemptions would apply in Bohuslän, Småland and Östergötland (including areas such as Simpevarp and Arkösund), Ångermanland (from Storfjärden to Skagsudde) and across Gotland (including Östergarn, Storsudret and Fårö).
The change targets the Environmental Code’s “coastal zone” restrictions while leaving all other permitting tests intact—from environmental impact assessments to nuclear safety scrutiny.
From policy to permits: a new pathway for coastal nuclear sites
The government says a new permitting process is being introduced to streamline decisions on reactors and related nuclear infrastructure. Exempting coastal areas from blanket prohibitions would not pre‑approve any site.
Rather, it would allow applications to be tested on their merits under existing licensing, radiation safety and environmental law. Authorities would still need to weigh maritime and biodiversity considerations, grid connections and local planning.
Sites and technology: reactors beyond existing plants
By lifting geographic barriers, the move could enable new-build projects beyond Sweden’s established nuclear clusters—Forsmark, Oskarshamn/Simpevarp and Ringhals. The government’s broader roadmap combines options for large reactors and small modular reactors (SMRs) to expand fossil‑free electricity supply over the next decade. Any coastal siting would need to account for cooling water access, grid capacity and long‑term waste management obligations.
Politics and pushback: immediate reactions
The announcement has triggered sharp criticism from parts of the opposition and environmental groups, who question coastal siting in archipelago environments and in the current security climate around the Baltic Sea. The government counters that new reactors are necessary for a reliable, fossil‑free power system and that the changes only remove blanket bans, without weakening substantive reviews.
What this means for Sweden
If adopted, the reform would broaden Sweden’s siting options for nuclear power at a time of high electricity demand, electrification of industry and tighter regional power balances. It would also interact with the Nordic power market and cross‑border flows, where Swedish baseload affects neighbours in Finland, Norway and Denmark. Key unknowns include investors’ project pipelines, grid reinforcements, and how local communities respond during planning and licensing.
The remiss process will collect feedback from agencies, municipalities and stakeholders through the autumn and winter. The government intends to table the final legal text to parliament after consultation, with entry into force planned for July 2026. Until then, no specific sites are designated, and nuclear projects must still pass full licensing and environmental reviews.
