Espoo, Jyväskylä, Finland – Steady Energy and Alva, a municipal utility from the city of Jyväskylä in central Finland have signed a letter of intent to investigate the suitability of SMRs as a source for district heating. During a year long period, the companies will investigate suitable locations for a potential plant, assess the economics of the technology as well as potential construction schedule. Possible investment decisions will be made at later stages of the process.
The two companies have launched a year long preliminary study about the feasibility of nuclear heat in Jyväskylä. The feasibility is assessed from the perspective of regulation, local approval, suitable locations, zoning, technology and costs. After the assessment, the companies will make a separate decision whether to enter a more detailed phase in the process – the pre-planning phase.
Steady Energy's LDR-50 is small modular reactor (SMR) designed in Finland that has been specifically designed for district heating leading to simpler design and lower cost compared to conventional nuclear plants. In addition, Steady Energy’s plants are constructed underground to allow construction closer to cities.
"Jyväskylä is the fourth city in Finland where SMR heat is being seriously considered to replace combustion-based energy sources. Finnish energy companies, such as Alva, are at the global forefront in the development of sustainable heating solutions," says Steady Energy’ CEO Tommi Nyman.
In addition to Jyväskylä, SMR heating projects are underway in Helsinki, Kuopio and Kerava.
"We want to carefully assess whether small-scale nuclear power can be a suitable solution for Jyväskylä's future heat production. At this stage, we are not making an investment decision, but we are investigating the prerequisites and gathering as much information as possible to support our final decision," says Production Director Alex Schreckenbach from Alva.
Steady Energy is currently building a full-sized test facility of its LDR-50 reactor in a decommissioned coal-fired in Helsinki city center. The purpose of the test facility is to demonstrate the key safety features of the LDR-50 reactor and accelerate its licensing process with the Finnish regulator.
Further information and interview requests
Steady Energy Oy: Director Lauri Muranen, +358 40 707 6637, lauri.muranen@steadyenergy.fi
Steady Energy Oy
- A Finnish technology company developing a heat only nuclear reactor
- Headquarters in Espoo
- CEO Tommi Nyman
- Founded in May 2023
- 60 employees, a total of more than 400 years of experience in the nuclear energy industry
- Surrounded by a network of 200 experts led by Steady Energy, including Fortum, VTT, Sweco, LUT University, Tractebel and Westinghouse.
- steadyenergy.com
Alva-yhtiöt Oy
- Jyväskylä city’s water and energy utility
- Fully owned by the City of Jyväskylä.
- Net sales approximately EUR 195 million in 2024
- Produces 1.2 TWh of heat and transmits 676 GWh of electricity (2024)
- 240 employees
- Headquarters in Jyväskylä
- President and CEO Tuomo Kantola
- Founded in 1902 as the electricity company of the City of Jyväskylä. Produced district heating since 1960.
Steady Energy LDR-50 –nuclear reactor
- Thermal power 50 MW
- Built underground
- Suitable for district heating, industrial heat and seawater desalination
- The reactor is about 10 meters high
- Competitive cost of heat
- Emission-free production, lifecycle carbon footprint on par with offshore wind power
- Light water technology, refueling every 2–3 years
- Few moving parts, low temperature and pressure
- Pilot plant under construction in Salmisaari, Helsinki
Image: J-V Hintikka / Unsplash