Ministry targets preliminary nuclear plant site choice by spring

Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications hopes to complete a preliminary selection of a site for a nuclear power plant by spring, ERR reports. Six potential locations are being considered in the Kunda and Lüganuse-Toila regions.

A plant in Estonia could be built only on the coast because it would need sufficient cooling water, said Agnes Lihtsa, an adviser on national spatial planning at the ministry. The ministry’s assessment table contains 40 criteria, including nuclear safety, geological and hydrological conditions, access to cooling water, environmental and natural values, and socioeconomic factors.

According to Lihtsa, cooling water is the most important consideration. Estonia has no river with a sufficient flow, so the water would have to come from the sea.

A nationwide spatial analysis completed in 2023 identified the Kunda area and the Lüganuse-Toila area as suitable coastal regions. Each has three potential locations.

The geological conditions must also be suitable, with the plant built on very stable ground. Proximity to transmission routes is important so the plant can be connected to substations. Two possible connection points are currently being considered: one near Rakvere and another in Püssi.

Proximity to ports must also be assessed, including for deliveries of nuclear fuel and components needed to build the plant.

The ministry is seeking a location with as few residents as possible, as people generally do not want a nuclear power plant near their homes. In August, it held information meetings in the municipalities covered by the planning area and received extensive feedback.

Residents mainly expressed concern about the possible impact on property values, groundwater and the familiar natural environment, Lihtsa said. Feedback ranged from simple objections to detailed letters several dozen pages long.

The proposals are still being analysed, but the ministry already believes it must explain its methodology more clearly, including how potential locations will be compared, weighted and ranked.

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications hopes to complete enough of its analysis by spring to identify a preliminary location.