Small Modular Reactors to Revolutionize District Heating in Finland by 2030s

Finland plans to implement 100-200 MW small modular reactors (SMRs) for district heating, potentially replacing coal-based systems and achieving nearly zero emissions. Maria Palo, head of nuclear power operations at Afry, predicts that the first SMRs will be operational by the mid-2030s.

Companies such as Helen, Kuopion Energia, and Keravan Energia have publicly proposed the use of small nuclear power for district heating. Palo claims that the cost of heat generated from SMRs will be competitive with alternative methods.

The Ecorsmr project report by VTT and LUT University in 2023 estimates that Finland's district heating networks could accommodate 50-100 small reactors. Modeling in the capital region indicated that SMRs could be more cost-effective than heat pumps for replacing fossil fuels, although investment cost data remains insufficient for accurate calculations.