Estonia: The cabinet supports the proposal of creating a national working group of nuclear energy

NordenBladet — At today’s cabinet meeting, the government discussed the possibilities of using nuclear energy in Estonia and decided that a national working group of nuclear energy should be created to define the nation’s positions towards the issue.

So far, no decisions have been made regarding the use of nuclear energy in Estonia, as thorough preparations are required prior to that. The working group will be tasked with analysing the feasibility of using nuclear energy in Estonia with the help of foreign experts and submitting their conclusions and proposals to the government. Their impact analysis on the implementation of nuclear energy will help the government make a calculated and informed decision on the matter.

“The introduction of nuclear energy after 2030 is one possible way of increasing Estonia’s energy security, sustainability, and competitiveness, as well as reaching the climate goals set for 2050,” said Prime Minister Jüri Ratas. “It is one of many possible solutions for producing climate-neutral energy in Estonia, which definitely deserves widespread discussions within the society and thorough analyses to help us make decisions in the future.”

The topic of nuclear energy has become prevalent in Estonia mostly because it would help to achieve Estonia’s climate goals for 2050 as an energy source with low carbon emissions. Another benefit of nuclear energy is its capability of ensuring round-the-clock electricity supply regardless of weather conditions. However, one of its most significant downsides is the time-consuming and resource-intensive implementation process.

According to Minister of the Environment Rene Kokk, the use of nuclear energy would help to ensure Estonia’s energy security, but would also require large-scale investments from the government to build and operate a power plant, as well as an extended period of preparation.

“In addition to producing electricity, nuclear energy can also be used to heat buildings and, with certain technological solutions, produce hydrogen. However, numerous security and political risks are involved with establishing a nuclear power plant. It is also important to consider the issue of the used nuclear fuel – handling and storage thereof is complicated and would require the establishment of a suitable repository,” he explained.

The implementation of nuclear energy requires at least 10–15 years of preparatory work. Therefore, Estonia’s first nuclear power plant could not begin operations before 2035.

Currently, Estonia lacks the legal framework, the competent authorities, and the experts required for establishing nuclear power plants. Pursuant to the Radiation Act, a radiation practice licence for the operation of a new nuclear facility can be applied for after the Riigikogu has adopted a decision on commissioning a nuclear facility.

As it is currently not known whether a nuclear power plant could be built in Estonia and what technological solutions it would implement, the requirements for the storage of nuclear waste created in the plant are also not defined. In order to store the used nuclear fuel, a suitable repository should be established in Estonia. The nuclear waste repository that will be constructed for the disassembly and safe storage of the training reactors of nuclear submarines in Paldiski by 2040 is not suitable for the possible storage of nuclear fuel.

The decision of using nuclear energy is a matter of great significance for the general public; therefore, it is important for people to be allowed to contribute to discussions on the matter. It will be specified in the course of the process of analysis whether the general public would be involved in the form of a referendum or in other ways.

The working group will be assembled by the Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications and other relevant ministries.

Source: Estonian Government