HELSINKI/STOCKHOLM – The Finnish nuclear technology company Steady Energy is establishing its presence in Sweden to solve a growing economic challenge for Swedish property owners and housing associations: high district heating prices. To lead the Swedish expansion, the company has recruited Anton Steen, formerly Head of Public Affairs and Communications at energy giant Fortum.
By producing only heat, Steady Energy’s small-scale reactor, the LDR-50, features a significantly simpler design compared to conventional nuclear power, allowing for substantially lower costs, with the potential to lower district heating prices for Swedish customers.
The reactor is constructed underground, with 15 meters of bedrock on top of them. The plants operate for two years before refueling. This means a significantly higher level of energy security and reduced vulnerability to fuel supply disruptions — a constant concern within the district heating sector.
”Nuclear heating ticks all the boxes of our energy challenges: price, zero emissions, and security of supply. I’m really looking forward to discussing our technology further with district heating companies and other stakeholders across the country,” says Anton Steen, the newly appointed Country Manager Sweden for Steady Energy.
In Finland, Steady Energy has already entered several collaborations to construct nuclear heating plants. Helsinki has come furthest; at a decommissioned coal power plant owned by the city's energy company, Helen, Steady Energy is currently building a full-scale pilot plant to demonstrate that the technology performs as intended.
”We are thrilled to have Anton Steen on our team. He has the experience and network to establish Steady Energy in Sweden. Looking at the rising prices for district heating as well as the growing debate to get away from burning biofuels and waste, I believe the timing for our establishment in Sweden is perfect”, says Tommi Nyman, CEO of Steady Energy.
Steady Energy offers its customers the choice to either invest directly in one or more small-scale reactors or to purchase the heat at a predetermined fixed price, so called “heat as a service” model.
A Safer and Simpler Reactor
Steady Energy’s reactor is a spin-off from the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. Unlike reactors designed to produce electricity, the LDR-50 operates at low pressure and low temperature. This makes the construction significantly simpler, safer, and more cost-effective to build. The technology is based on proven light-water technology, utilizing the same type of nuclear fuel used in current Swedish reactors. This ensures high regulatory and technical maturity, leading to shorter lead times. A first reactor could be operational in Sweden by the mid 2030’s.
For more information, please contact:
Anton Steen Country Manager Sweden, Steady Energy anton.steen@steadyenergy.fi +46 702 44 69 42
Lauri Muranen Head of Public Affairs, Steady Energy lauri.muranen@steadyenergy.fi +358 407 076 637
About Steady Energy: Steady Energy designs, constructs, and operates compact, advanced nuclear heating plants. Our elegantly simple approach enables scalable, cost-effective, zero-carbon district heating nearly anywhere.