Vastavalt nimekirjale 07.03.2025 nr 6-6/25/1067-2
Rootsi uue tuumaelektrijaama rajamise ja opereerimise
piiriülene keskkonnamõju hindamine
Rootsi on piiriülese keskkonnamõju hindamise konventsiooni (Espoo konventsiooni) alusel teavitanud
Eestit seoses uue tuumaelektrijaama rajamise projektiga.
Arendaja Vattenfall AB on esitanud loataotluse kahe suure tuumareaktoriga või kolme kuni viie väikese
moodultuumareaktoriga uue tuumaelektrijaama arendamiseks ja käitamiseks, mille kombineeritud
elektrivõimsus on kuni 2800 MWe (vastab soojusvõimsusele kuni 8400 MW). Loataotlus hõlmab ainult
rajatise kavandamist ja käitamist, mitte tuumareaktorite edaspidist dekomisjoneerimist. Lisainfo
kavandatava tegevuse kohta on Rootsi saadetud konsultatsiooni dokumentides, mis on aluseks
keskkonnamõju hindamisel (kirjale lisatud dokument: Basis for the scoping consultation).
Lisaks on Vattenfall koostanud aruande (kirjale lisatud dokument: Background to the Consultation on
Transboundary Impacts), mis annab aluse hindamiseks, milliseid riike kavandatav tegevus võib mõjutada
ja keda tuleks teavitada. Hinnang põhineb reaktori avarii hüpoteetilisel õnnetusel ning hüpoteetiliselt
halvima stsenaariumi alusel tehtud arvutuste tulemused näitavad, et kiirgusdoosid on kõrged lähipiirkonnas,
kuid vähenevad kiiresti kauguse suurenedes. Tegevuse asukohast kaugemal kui 250 km on eluaegsed
doosid alla 1 mSv, mis on ligikaudu võrdne Rootsi elanikkonna tavalise aastase taustkiirguse doosiga.
Naaberriikides saaksid reaktori avarii tagajärjel eluaegsed doosid, mis ületavad loodusliku taustkiirguse
aastadoosi, ainult Taanis ja Lõuna-Norra rannikualadel elavad inimesed.
Lähtuvalt Rootsi määratud vastamistähtajast ootame 7. aprilliks 2025 põhjendatud arvamusi selle kohta,
kas Eesti peaks osalema Rootsi uue tuumaelektrijaama piiriüleses keskkonnamõju hindamise menetluses
(e-posti aadressil
[email protected]). Juhul, kui peate vajalikuks Eesti osalemist menetluses, on
oodatud ka põhjendatud arvamused selle kohta, milline oluline kahjulik piiriülene keskkonnamõju võib
Eestile kaasneda, et sellega saaks arvestada keskkonnamõju hindamise materjalide koostamisel.
Lugupidamisega
(allkirjastatud digitaalselt)
Antti Tooming
elurikkuse ja keskkonnakaitse asekantsler
Lisad: Piiriülese keskkonnamõju hindamise konsultatsiooni dokumendid
Ülle Luiks, 623 1220
[email protected]
Suur-Ameerika 1 / Tallinn 10122 / 626 2802/
[email protected] / www.kliimaministeerium.ee/
Registrikood 70001231
Basis for the scoping
consultation
Date: 19.02.2025
Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 5
1.1. Background ...................................................................................................... 5
1.2. Purpose of operation ........................................................................................ 5
1.3. Purpose of document ....................................................................................... 6
2. The permitting process ...................................................................... 7
2.1. The boundary between the permit processes. ................................................. 7
2.2. Scope and definition of permit applications ..................................................... 8
2.3. Related questions ............................................................................................ 9
3. Planned operations........................................................................... 10
3.1. Development .................................................................................................. 10
3.2. Nuclear reactors ............................................................................................. 11
3.3. Support activities ............................................................................................ 16
3.4. Checks and monitoring .................................................................................. 19
4. Related activities............................................................................... 20
4.1. Electrical system ............................................................................................ 20
4.2. External management of spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste .................... 21
4.3. Decommissioning ........................................................................................... 22
5. Alternative ......................................................................................... 22
5.1. Zero alternative .............................................................................................. 22
5.2. Alternative localisation ................................................................................... 23
5.3. Alternative design........................................................................................... 23
6. Environmental conditions ................................................................ 24
6.1. Environment ................................................................................................... 24
6.2. Planning document ........................................................................................ 26
6.3. National interests ........................................................................................... 28
6.4. Geology and soil conditions ........................................................................... 31
6.5. Hydrology ....................................................................................................... 32
6.6. Natural values ................................................................................................ 33
6.7. Protected species........................................................................................... 35
6.8. Cultural heritage ............................................................................................. 35
6.9. Landscape, outdoor life and recreation.......................................................... 37
7. Expected environmental impacts .................................................... 37
7.1. Land use ........................................................................................................ 38
7.2. Natural and cultural environment ................................................................... 38
7.3. Outdoor life, recreation and landscape .......................................................... 39
7.4. Resource usage ............................................................................................. 40
7.5. Waste ............................................................................................................. 41
7.6. Transportation ................................................................................................ 42
7.7. Noise, light and vibrations .............................................................................. 43
7.8. Groundwater .................................................................................................. 44
7.9. Emissions into water ...................................................................................... 44
7.10. Emissions to air ............................................................................................ 46
7.11. The climate impact of the operation ............................................................. 46
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7.12. Vulnerability to climate change and external environmental events ............ 47
7.13. Risk and safety............................................................................................. 48
8. Upcoming environmental impact assessment ............................... 51
8.1. Proposal for scoping ...................................................................................... 51
8.2. Assessment criteria ........................................................................................ 52
8.3. Suggested table of contents .......................................................................... 52
9. Continued consultation .................................................................... 57
9.1. The consultation process ............................................................................... 57
9.2. Handling of received comments ..................................................................... 59
9.3. Processing of personal data .......................................................................... 59
10. References ...................................................................................... 62
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Administrative details
Administrative details
Operator as per the Vattenfall AB
Environmental Code
Corporate reg. number 556036-2138
Address: Vattenfall AB 169 92 Stockholm
Contact at Vattenfall Henric Lidberg, T: 073 097 28 97, E:
[email protected]
AB:
Properties: Varberg Skällåkra 6:3, 6:4, 6:5, 8:18, 9:15
Varberg Biskopshagen 1:7, 3:2
Varberg Skällåkra S:1, S:2 and S:4
Activity codes 40.30 (nuclear reactor)
(preliminary)
40.50-i (combustion plant)
24.32-i (manufacture a maximum of 20,000 tonnes of non-metals,
metal oxides or other inorganic compounds per calendar year)
90.460 (treatment of high-level radioactive waste/storage of
radioactive waste)
90.470 (processing/storing spent nuclear fuel, etc.)
County: Halland
Local authority Varberg
Regulatory body: County Administrative Board of Halland County (environmental
protection and water operations)
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (radiation protection, nuclear
safety and nuclear non-proliferation)
WSP Sverige AB has been tasked with preparing the consultation document
together with Vattenfall AB. The consultation document is based on information
about the operations provided by Vattenfall.
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1. Introduction
1.1. Background
Sweden has set itself the target of achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions
by 2045. Sweden imports 130 TWh of fossil fuels annually, with oil accounting for
more than 100 TWh. Oil is supplemented by coal, coke and natural gas. 1
Sweden needs to achieve our climate targets while strengthening our
competitiveness through extensive electrification of industry and the transport
sector. In addition, the Swedish Parliament has adopted a target that electricity
production in Sweden should be completely fossil-free by 2040.2 To meet the
increased demand for electricity, Vattenfall believes that all available sources of
fossil-free power need to be expanded. Nuclear power can produce large
amounts of electricity using minimal amounts of fuel over a minimal surface area
and will constitute an important part of the fossil-free electricity system in meeting
Sweden’s increasing electricity needs.
1.2. Purpose of operation
The purpose of the planned operations is to produce fossil-free and plannable
electricity using a new source of nuclear power on the Värö Peninsula in the
Varberg Local Authority Area. Production should be in place by the mid-2030s.
Predictable production will help stabilise the electricity grid, and for the electricity
system to function, there must be balance. This means that the generation of
electricity at any given time needs to be equal to its consumption.
There are two types of electricity generation: plannable and non-plannable.
Nuclear power and hydropower are both plannable forms of energy, in the sense
that electricity generation is predictable and can be planned in advance, which
helps to strengthen the power system’s security of supply. Wind power and solar
power are weather-dependent and therefore non-plannable forms of power, as
generation depends on the weather and cannot be planned in advance.
The site on the Värö Peninsula, see Figure 1, has been designated as being of
national interest for thermal power-based energy generation and is adjacent to
the existing Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. It is strategically located on Sweden’s
west coast, between the metropolitan regions of Gothenburg and Malmö, whose
demand for electricity is not only high, but is expected to increase because of
planned industrial investments linked to the green transition. As a result of the
existing operations at the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant, there is already
infrastructure at the site that can be jointly utilised for new nuclear power
operations.
Vattenfall also believes that the closure of Ringhals 1 and 2 has made it possible
to connect new power generation without major investments in the national grid.
Moreover, Vattenfall has had and maintains a successful collaboration with
Varberg Local Authority. Indeed, the region has developed expertise among
subcontractors and authorities regarding nuclear power operations. This makes
1
The state of energy 2023 in figures (energimyndigheten.se).
2
Bill 2022/23:99, Report 2022/23:FiU21, Parliamentary Communication 2022/23:254.
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the Värö Peninsula a suitable choice for the first site in Sweden to establish new
nuclear power to meet the country’s demand described above.
Figure 1. Overview map of the planned operational area (Lantmäteriet, Sweden’s equivalent to the Ordnance
Survey).
Lokalisering - Localisation
Verksamhetsområde - Area of activity
1.3. Purpose of document
The planned operations are subject to a permit under Chapters 9 and 11 of the
Environmental Code (1998:808) and are assumed to have a significant
environmental impact under Article 6 of the Environmental Assessment
Regulations (2017:966). For operations that can be assumed to have significant
environmental impact, no investigation consultation is required, and no such
consultation has been carried out for the planned operation.This document
provides the basis for the scoping consultation to be carried out pursuant to
Chapter 6 of the Environmental Code.
The main purpose of the consultation is to exchange information with and provide
local residents, the public, authorities, organisations and other stakeholders with
the opportunity to submit comments on the content of the upcoming application
for permit, the environmental impact assessment and related documentation, as
well as to consult on the location, scope and design of the operations and the
environmental effects it is likely to have.
A preliminary assessment shows that the planned operations are covered by the
Act (1999:381) on Measures to be Taken to Prevent and Limit the Consequences
of Major Chemical Accidents (Seveso Act). This means that the consultation
must, in accordance with Chapter 6, Article 29 of the Environmental Code, also
cover the prevention and containment of major chemical accidents resulting from
the operations. The consultation also concerns factors in the environment that
may affect the safety of the operations, in accordance with Article 13 of the
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Seveso Act, with particular focus on the distances to other operations covered by
the Seveso legislation.
As the operations may have a significant impact on a nearby Natura 2000 site,
the consultation also includes examining the possible need for a so-called Natura
2000 permit (Chapter 7, Article 28 a of the Environmental Code) The forthcoming
environmental impact assessment will provide the basis for assessing the need
for and, where applicable, the granting of such a permit.
The planned operations are of such a nature that, under the Espoo Convention
(Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context),
they entail an obligation to also consult with the neighbouring countries
concerned. Consultations under the Espoo Convention are planned to take place
both on the planned applications for permit for the development and operation of
the nuclear power plant and on the planning procedure under the Planning and
Building Act (2010:900). The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is
coordinating the Espoo Consultation, and Vattenfall will have an ongoing dialogue
with the Swedish EPA regarding the design and implementation of the Espoo
Consultation.
2. The permitting process
2.1. The boundary between the permit processes.
New nuclear facilities must be authorised under both the Nuclear Activities Act
(1984:3) and the Environmental Code. Under the current system, a permit
application for a new nuclear facility must be submitted to the Swedish Radiation
Safety Authority, which prepares the case under the Nuclear Activities Act, and to
the Land and Environment Court which prepares the case under the
Environmental Code. The cases are then forwarded to the government, which
decides on the issue of permissibility under the Environmental Code and issues
permission under the Nuclear Activities Act. If the government decides to grant a
permit, the matter will return to the Land and Environment Court, which will decide
on the permit in accordance with the Environmental Code and any terms and
conditions of the permit. Both the application under the Nuclear Activities Act and
the application under the Environmental Code must include an environmental
impact assessment and must be preceded by a consultation pursuant to Chapter
6 of the Environmental Code. Figure 2 below illustrates an example of the issues
to be examined as part the Environmental Code review and the Nuclear Activities
Act review, as well as any issues overlapping between the two reviews.
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Figure 2. Differences and overlaps between parallel review procedures under the Environmental Code and the
Nuclear Activities Act (Vattenfall).
2.2. Scope and definition of permit applications
Vattenfall intends to apply for a permit under Chapter 9 of the Environmental
Code for the development and operation of a new nuclear power plant with two or
more nuclear reactors with a combined electrical output of up to 2,800 MWe The
permit application will cover only the development and operation of the facility, not
the future decommissioning of the new nuclear power reactors.
The operation of a nuclear power plant generates conventional waste (non-
hazardous and hazardous waste) and nuclear waste, see also Section 3.3.4.
Nuclear waste will be managed and temporarily stored within the operational area
in preparation for, or pending, continued management and final disposal
elsewhere. The final disposal of such nuclear waste is not covered by the planned
operations.
Spent nuclear fuel will be managed and stored in fuel ponds within the operational
area before being transported to a dedicated interim storage site. Such interim
storage of nuclear fuel, as well as the final disposal thereof, is not covered by the
planned operations.
The planned operations are considered to be mainly covered by the following
provisions in the Environmental Assessment Regulations (2013:251):
• Chapter 21 Article 7 Permit requirement A and activity code 40.30 apply
to nuclear power reactors or other nuclear reactors.
• Chapter 21 Article 9 Permit requirement B and activity code 40.50-i
apply to combustion plants with a total rated heat input of 50 megawatts
or more but not more than 300 megawatts.
• Chapter 12 Article 32, Permit requirement B and activity code 24.32-i
apply to facilities for the production of non-metals, metal oxides or other
inorganic compounds by chemical or biological reaction on an industrial
scale up to 20 000 tonnes per calendar year.
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• Chapter 29 Article 58 Permit requirement A and activity code 90.460
apply to the treatment of high-level radioactive waste, final disposal of
radioactive waste or storage of radioactive waste.
• Chapter 29 Article 59 Permit requirement A and activity code 90.470
apply to the processing, storage, final disposal or any other management
of spent nuclear fuel, nuclear waste or other radioactive waste in
accordance with the Act (1984:3) on Nuclear Activities (Nuclear Activities
Act) or the Radiation Protection Act (2018:396), if the management is not
subject to permit under Article 58.
Vattenfall also plans to apply for a permit under Chapter 11 of the Environmental
Code for the water operations that will be required for the development and
operation of the facility, including seawater abstraction for cooling water
purposes, the construction of facilities in water areas, groundwater abstraction,
the filling of ponds and water bodies in the area, re-infiltration and more.
This activity may require a permit under Chapter 7. Article 28 a of the
Environmental Code (referred to as “Natura 2000 permit”). Such a permit will be
granted provided that the activity is deemed to have a significant impact on the
nearby Natura 2000 site. Vattenfall will investigate the impact of the operations on
the nearby Natura 2000 site and the need for a Natura 2000 permit as part of the
application process. An application for a permit under the Cultural Environment
Act (1988:950) and an exemption from the Species Protection Regulations
(2007:845) are also expected to be required.
The Nuclear Activities Act requires a permit for the development, possession and
operation of a nuclear facility and for the management of nuclear material and
nuclear waste. A separate permit application under the Nuclear Activities Act will
be submitted to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority and processed alongside
the Environmental Code review. The Nuclear Activities Act also lays down
requirements for the performance of a specific environmental assessment under
Chapter 6 of the Environmental Code. Vattenfall plans to produce a joint
environmental impact assessment for the reviews under both the Environmental
Code and the Nuclear Activities Act. This scoping consultation is a combined
consultation for the two reviews.
2.3. Related questions
A preliminary assessment shows that the planned operations are covered by the
Act (1999:381) on Measures to Prevent and Limit the Consequences of Major
Chemical Accidents and related delegated legislation (the Seveso legislation) in
view of the chemicals planned to be managed in the operations, see also Chapter
7.13.
The total rated output of the planned auxiliary power units means that the
operations are deemed to be subject to a permit requirement under Chapter 21,
Article 9 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations (activity code 40.50-i).
Planned production of sodium hypochlorite is also subject to a permit according to
Chapter 12, Section 32 of the Environmental Assessment Ordinance (activity
code 24.32-i). This also means that the operations constitute an industrial
emissions activity under Chapter 1, Article 2 of the Industrial Emissions
Regulations (2013:250), and that they are covered by said Regulations. Since the
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operations are covered by the Industrial Emissions Directive, a status report must
be prepared and included in the application.
The planned auxiliary power units will each have an installed output of less than
15 MW, which means that the activity is not covered by the Large Combustion
Plants Regulations (2013:252) (cf. Articles 6 and 36 of the Regulations, stating
that installations below 15 MW should not be aggregated). Instead, in view of the
planned auxiliary power units, the activity is covered by the Medium Combustion
Plants Regulations (2018:471)
The operations will also be subject to the Radiation Protection Act (2018:396) and
the Accident Prevention Act (2003:778) and related regulations.
Large sections of the planned operational area are subject to zoning. As a result
of the planned operations, existing zoning plans will need to be revised and/or
replaced by one or more new zoning plans. The process of revising and/or
replacing existing zoning plans will take place separately and alongside the
forthcoming permitting process. In addition, a building permit is required for the
development of the operations under the Planning and Building Act (2010:900).
Areas in the Biskopshagen Nature Reserve will also be utilised for the operations
and will therefore need to be occupied.
3. Planned operations
This section provides preliminary and summary information on the planned
operations. Work is currently underway to investigate the technical and financial
conditions for the planned operations, which will form the basis for the detailed
design of the operations. Vattenfall intends to report further information about the
design of the operations, and prepare preliminary assessments of the impact of
the operations on human health and the environment, at a later stage of the
permit process.
The following section describes initially the development and erection phase,
followed by the characteristics of the nuclear reactors, how cooling water will be
supplied, the need for backup power, and the management of waste and spent
fuel. It also describes how control, monitoring and supervision of the planned
operations will be carried out.
3.1. Development
The development of the planned operations will start with ground preparation
measures to create a level and stable foundation with the correct height. This
work is estimated to take approximately two years and will involve blasting the
bedrock, building cooling water structures, filling and levelling the area, etc. The
ground level varies relatively widely across the area, from approximately 4–30
metres above sea level. The levelled ground level on which the plant will be
situated takes into account normal water level variations resulting from prevailing
weather patterns and expected sea level rises caused by climate change. It is
likely that the ground level for the plant will be somewhere between four and six
metres above sea level.
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The soil and rock masses generated during the construction phase will primarily
be utilised within the project, or transported to nearby reception facilities where
the masses will primarily be reused, then recycled and, as a last resort, disposed
of. Rock crushing may take place on site. After ground preparation, connections
to water and electricity will be provided in the construction area.
Construction work, consisting of laying the foundations and erecting buildings
such as reactor buildings and turbine buildings will then begin. Finally, system
components will be supplied. The erection and installation work for each nuclear
reactor is estimated to take approximately four to six years. The small modular
reactors, described in section 3.2, each take a shorter time to build and
commission than the large reactors.
Vattenfall will also build its own workshops for maintenance and servicing, new
storage and warehouse buildings, and premises for other support activities that
may be needed, such as emergency services and security. Coordination with
Ringhals AB regarding emergency preparedness may take place in cases where
it is possible and considered appropriate.
Construction materials and components will be transported to the site by lorry or
by ship. During the construction period, temporary storage and assembly areas
will be needed within and adjacent to the construction site. The exact location of
the temporary storage and assembly areas has not yet been decided, but these
areas may need to be located in neighbouring local authority areas. Roads and
storage areas will be paved or otherwise hardened.
Additional space in the immediate area is needed for, for example, parking
spaces, crew sheds and temporary accommodation for the contractors hired
during construction. Up to 10,000–12,000 people may be employed during the
construction phase if large reactors are built.
Intake and discharge of cooling water will take place via existing or newly
constructed infrastructure. Work in and adjacent to the water will, depending on
needs and conditions, be carried out through blasting, excavation, dredging, filling
and/or casting or similar measures.
Construction work will continue every day, around the clock. The construction site
will be fenced and floodlit.
The construction, installation and commissioning of the planned operations are
estimated to take approximately 10 years. Construction for ground preparation
work is expected to begin in the second half of the 2020s, provided that the
necessary permits have been issued and investment decisions made.
Construction work will be carried out in accordance with current legislation, and
Vattenfall will work to minimise disruption.
3.2. Nuclear reactors
Nuclear reactors constitute the central part of the planned operations. Vattenfall
plans to build and operate two large nuclear reactors, or three to five small
modular nuclear reactors, with a combined electrical output of up to 2,800 MWe
(equivalent to no more than 8,400 MW heat output).
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Each nuclear reactor will consist of a reactor and a turbine section. The nuclear
reactors will also be independent of each other, but will share services such as
seawater intake, maintenance workshops, waste management, etc. The operation
of the nuclear reactors will be managed by an on-site operating organisation.
Operation includes recurring fuel replacement. .
3.2.1. Evaluated reactor types
The nuclear reactors will be based on proven light water technology and will
incorporate the latest developments in terms of safety and performance. Light
water technology is available today as large reactors and small modular reactors.
Vattenfall has evaluated both of these designs and is continuing to investigate
which type of reactor and how many reactors will be built as part of the planned
operations.
The suppliers of light water technology that Vattenfall has deemed suitable for the
planned operations offer large reactors, in the form of pressurised water reactors,
with an approximate electrical output of 1,200–1,400 MWe and small modular
reactors, in the form of boiling and pressurised water reactors, with an
approximate output of 300–500 MWe. Unlike small modular reactors, large
reactors are in operation around the world today, and there is experience of how
these are designed and built. In addition to the lower power, small modular
reactors are characterised by being designed with a focus on modularity,
scalability and simplicity, which allows them to be mass-produced and be more
cost-effective than traditional large reactors.
What the evaluated reactor types have in common is that they, regardless of size,
are based on reliable, proven technology but with further modernisations. Modern
reactors feature simplified but robust and reliable design solutions and utilise
standardised components to a greater extent compared to existing nuclear power
reactors. Operating characteristics have also been improved through, in
particular, longer estimated operating time, higher availability and the possibility of
flexible operating cycles. Further innovations that occur among the evaluated
reactor types include, for example, the possibility of placing reactor buildings
partially underground, which increases resistance to natural phenomena. The
evaluated reactor types also use passive safety systems, to varying degrees, for
emergency cooling of the reactor and containment, reducing the need for
separate motive power, such as electricity, to operate.
3.2.2. Function and technical characteristics
The nuclear reactors considered for the planned operations will be based on light
water technology, meaning that enriched uranium is used as fuel and that normal
water is used as coolant and moderator.
Light water technology comes in two designs: boiling water or pressurised water
reactors. The basic principle is the same for both. Nuclear fission takes place in
the reactor. A neutron is sent towards a uranium atom whose nucleus splits and
new neutrons are released. These can in turn split more uranium nuclei and a
chain reaction occurs. Nuclear fission releases energy that is used to evaporate
water. The steam generated can be used in a turbine plant to generate electricity.
In a boiling water reactor (BWR), the uranium fuel is split in the reactor vessel,
which generates heat. The control rods regulate the power depending on the
position and water flow. The heat generated from nuclear fission causes water to
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boil and steam to form. The steam is directed to the turbine plant, which causes
the turbine to rotate. A generator is connected to the turbine shaft and electrical
energy is generated during rotation. Using cooling water from the sea, the steam
is cooled down and converted into water in the condenser. The water is pumped
back into the reactor to cool the fuel. Cooling water from the sea is released via a
tunnel back into the sea. The process is illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Schematic diagram of a boiling water reactor. (Ringhals AB).
Reaktortank – Reactor tank
Turbin – Turbine
Generator – Generator
Havsvatten – Seawater
Kondensor – Condenser
In a pressurised water reactor (PWR) there are two cooling water circuits; a
primary circuit and a secondary circuit. The control rods regulate the power
depending on the position and water flow. The water in the primary circuit is
heated by nuclear fission in the reactor vessel but is prevented from boiling by
keeping the pressure high. The water from the primary circuit heats the water in
the secondary circuit in a heat exchanger, also called a steam generator. The
water in the secondary circuit boils and the steam formed is directed to one or
more turbines. Low-pressure steam from the turbine is then fed to the condenser
for cooling using cooling water from the sea, after which the condensate formed is
pumped back to the steam generator. The water in the primary circuit is pumped
back to cool the core. Cooling water from the sea is released via a discharge
tunnel back into the sea. The process is illustrated in Figure 4.
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Figure 4. Schematic diagram of a pressurised water reactor. (Ringhals AB).
Vattenfall is investigating possible reactor types, i.e. both large reactors and small
modular ones. Table 1 shows the overall technical characteristics of the planned
operations based on the reactor types being investigated.
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Table 1. Summary of overall technical characteristics
Technical characteristics
Electrical power: Approximately 1,500–2,800 MW
Annual energy Approximately 12–23 TWh
output:
Fuel quantity Approximately 250–500 tonnes
(uranium oxide):
Fuel consumption: Approximately 35–70 tonnes/year
Heat output: Approximately 4,000–8,400 MW
Backup power Approximately 20 MWe–110 MWe
demand:
Cooling water Approximately 80–120 m3/s
demand
3.2.3. Nuclear safety and radiation protection
Regardless of which type of nuclear power reactor Vattenfall chooses, the
planned operations will be conducted in such a way as to ensure a high level of
safety and compliance with legal requirements.
The safety of a nuclear reactor is based on what is known as the defence-in-
depth principle, which aims to eliminate the harmful effects of ionising radiation.
These issues are governed by the Nuclear Activities Act and the Radiation
Protection Act, as well as regulations issued by the Swedish Radiation Safety
Authority. The defence-in-depth principle applies several successive technical,
organisational and manual measures to minimise the discharge of radioactive
effluents into the environment and the harmful effects of radiation.
Defence in depth, as defined by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM), is
divided into five levels for the purposes of:
• Preventing operational disruptions and other errors through quality
design, stable operation and adapted maintenance.
• Detecting and monitoring operational disturbances to ensure they do not
result in accidents and that the nuclear reactor can be restored to normal
operation.
• Minimising the effects of accidents and preventing extensive fuel
damage.
• Ensuring that radioactive releases caused by accidents involving
extensive fuel damage are as low as reasonably achievable.
• Mitigating the effects of radioactive discharges.
The design of the nuclear reactor and the organisation of its operations help to
build defence-in-depth and combine to maintain radiological safety and radiation
protection.
The nuclear reactor is designed with several physical barriers, which are included
as part of defence in depth to prevent or delay the discharge of radioactive
effluents into the environment. The multi-barrier principle means that if one barrier
fails, the next one will come into play. There are four physical barriers around the
nuclear fuel in the core:
• The fuel (which binds most of the radioactive effluents).
• The fuel cladding tube.
• The reactor vessel with associated piping system.
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• The reactor containment
The effectiveness of the physical barriers is ensured by the safety features of the
nuclear reactor, which include : reactivity checks (e.g., the ability to quickly shut
down the reactor), removal of heat from the reactor and fuel storage, and
containment of radioactive material (checks of planned radioactive discharges
and limitations of accidental radioactive releases).
The safety features are present to varying degrees in the defence-in-depth level
They are ensured, in particular, by systems and components manufactured and
tested against strict quality standards.
The capacity of the nuclear reactor’s barriers and safety features is verified by
means of a safety analysis and is reported by the permit holder in a radiation
safety report. Said report also details effects in the form of discharges into the
environment during normal operation, operational disruptions and accidents.
In addition to the barriers above, there are other design safeguards that prevent
and limit exposure to ionising radiation. This is achieved by the building being
equipped with thick radiation shields made of concrete or lead. In addition,
physical protection is installed to protect against theft and other unauthorised
handling of nuclear material and other radioactive effluents. The physical
protection also prevents access to the facility by unauthorised persons.
The operations will be designed based on current requirements. Any effects
regarding ionising radiation during normal operation and unexpected events will
be described and assessed in a future environmental impact assessment.
3.3. Support activities
3.3.1. Water activities
The plant will require a cooling water intake of no more than 120 m3 of seawater
per second. Plans are to deploy the intake in the northern section of the planned
operational area.
Cooling water intake will be made possible through surface water intake, deep
water intake or a combination of surface and deep water intake. To prevent large
objects such as driftwood and ice from being brought in from the sea through
surface water intake, a foam barrier extending a little below the surface of the
water or another solution with the same function will be built at the intake point. At
a surface water intake, the water temperature varies over the year from
approximately 0ºC to 25ºC, which affects the efficiency of the plant. At a deep
water intake, the water temperature is relatively stable throughout the year. For a
deep water intake, either a blasted/drilled tunnel or bottom-laid pipes are required.
The intake will be supported by equipment that allows water to be supplied from
the bottom via an intake caisson.
Regardless of the type of water intake, the cooling water will be channelled into a
basin and then filtered in several stages to separate unwanted material such as
seaweed, fish, jellyfish, etc. Large material will be separated using a cleaning
screen or similar, while smaller particles will be separated using a fine screen
followed by a screening machine. The water will then be channelled via an
underground tunnel or via an open cooling water channel to the turbine building
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used to condense steam. The waste that accumulates in grids and screening
machines will be collected in chutes and flushed out with seawater. As far as
possible, the flushing water will be returned to the sea. However, large amounts
of sewage tend to accumulate periodically, mainly during summer/autumn or
during storms. To prevent it from reinfiltrating the intake building, it may be
necessary to drain the sewage into special basins. Chlorine or an equivalent
agent will also be added to reduce the growth of marine organisms in the cooling
water.
Used cooling water will be returned to the recipient using existing infrastructure in
the area or newly built tunnels. Cooling water can be distributed via open
channels or blasted tunnels. The exact location and design of the discharge
system is currently being investigated.
Groundwater will be drained during the construction and operational phases. The
extent to which groundwater will be diverted is currently being investigated. Small
areas of water within the operational area will be filled in. Work in water areas will
also be required for the development of the operations, including for any new
plant components required for water extraction and discharge. Groundwater and
stormwater, for example, will be reinfiltrated.
3.3.2. Backup power
To ensure electrical power to the reactors and other prioritised systems if the
power supply is cut off, backup power systems in the form of, for example,
batteries, diesel/gasoline/HVO generators or gas turbines will be installed. The
backup power systems will be tested regularly. They will have an output of up to
approximately 10 MWe each and a total rated input power of approximately 20–
110 MW.
3.3.3. Sodium hypochlorite production
Hypochlorite is a possible operating chemical that could be produced at the plant
through seawater electrolysis.
Hypochlorite can be used to reduce the growth of marine organisms in cooling
water systems to ensure a continuous and adequate supply of cooling water and
thereby prevent disruptions to the process.
3.3.4. Waste management
Waste management in planned operations will be based on the EU’s waste
hierarchy, which has been transposed mainly through Chapter 15 of the
Environmental Code. In line with the order of priority laid down by EU waste
legislation, waste should initially be prevented, secondly reused, thirdly recycled,
fourthly used to recover energy and finally landfilled. Any waste that continues to
be generated by the operations after preventive measures have been put in place
will be managed and classified based on established procedures.
Construction is expected to generate large quantities of packaging waste, etc.,
which will be sorted for further processing by authorised recipients. For
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management of soil and rock masses, see chapter 3.1. A mass management plan
will be developed.
Both hazardous and non-hazardous waste that is not radioactive will be managed
and temporarily stored in buildings or on adapted areas within the operational
area. Waste will then be disposed of by an approved transporter and recipient.
During the operation of the nuclear power plant, radioactive waste will be
generated in addition to conventional waste. A nuclear power plant is divided into
different zones based on the risk of ionising radiation. Areas where there is a risk
of ionising radiation are called controlled areas. Any waste that is generated
outside a controlled area constitutes conventional waste. Conventional waste may
be both non-hazardous and hazardous waste and will be managed in accordance
with current regulations and delivered to transporters and recipients who hold the
necessary permits.
All waste generated within a controlled area is classified as radioactive waste and
is managed as if it were contaminated. Measurements are made of the waste’s
radioactivity, which forms the basis for its classification. Radioactive waste is
classified based on two criteria: dose rate and half-life. Waste that is deemed to
be reclassifiable is sorted out, decontaminated, if necessary, and measured for
inspection purposes. Clearance means that the rules stemming from the
Radiation Protection Act do not need to be applied, since the risks of radioactive
contamination are so small that they can be considered negligible. If the
contamination level post-measurement is below the limit values defined by the
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, the material may be cleared and then
managed as conventional waste. For cleared conventional waste from operations,
the focus is on waste being primarily prevented, secondarily reused, thirdly
recycled, fourthly used for energy recovery and finally landfilled.
Radioactive waste is categorised based on its activity content and can be roughly
divided into four groups: very low-level short-lived waste, short-lived low- and
intermediate-level waste, long-lived low- and intermediate-level waste and high-
level waste. High-level waste consists of spent nuclear fuel only when it has been
placed in a repository.3 why this is not covered by planned operations.
3.3.4.1. Very low-level short-lived waste
The radiation intensity in this waste is so low that after sorting it can be deposited
in an external landfill, or alternatively managed by, for example, melting or
combustion at another facility. The waste in this group consists, for example, of
compactable waste (paper, wood, plastic, fabric, etc.) , non-compactable waste
(concrete, construction waste, pipes, sheet metal, scrap iron, cables, etc.) and ion
exchange resins and sludge.
3.3.4.2. Short-lived low- and intermediate-level waste
Short-lived low- and intermediate-level solid waste consists primarily of waste
from maintenance work and replaced components as well as rags, gloves,
protective equipment and disposable items. These types of waste are currently
handled at existing nuclear power plants primarily through compaction or
3 see Article 2, point 3 of the Nuclear Engineering Act
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segmentation to reduce volume and then packaged in approved packaging. A
certain portion of the short-lived low-level waste can also be handled by melting
or combustion at another facility before being packed in suitable packaging. For
short-lived intermediate-level waste, there are requirements that the waste must
be encapsulated.
The waste is temporarily stored after being packed in suitable packaging for a
period of time before being sent in special transport canisters to a repository for
short-lived radioactive waste.
Liquid-borne short-lived low- and intermediate-level waste that may result from
the purification of process water consists primarily of ion-exchange resins,
evaporator concentrates and sludge. Ion-exchange resins and sludge are
pumped into tanks where they are stored pending further processing. Wastewater
is evaporated and the concentrate collected in tanks pending further processing,
but other alternative methods of concentrating liquid waste may also become
relevant. The waste is then stabilised in designated packaging to enable final
disposal at another facility.
3.3.4.3. Long-lived low- and intermediate-level waste
Some long-lived low- and intermediate-level waste is generated, mainly during
decommissioning, but components close to the reactor may also become
neutron-induced and need to be managed as long-lived waste during a
replacement, for example.
The waste will temporarily be stored within the operational area pending further
processing and final disposal.
3.4. Checks and monitoring
3.4.1. Checks pursuant to the Environmental Code and Seveso
legislation
Under the Environmental Code, the responsibility for protecting human health and
the environment from damage and inconvenience caused by an environmentally
hazardous activity lies with the party conducting the activity. This means that the
operator must carry out specified checks and that a regulatory authority must
supervise such checks. In addition, an activity that is subject to a permit under
Chapter 9 or Chapter 11 of the Environmental Code is covered by the Operators
(Self-Monitoring) Regulations (1998:901).
Activities covered by the Seveso legislation must, in accordance with Article 10 of
the Seveso Act, prepare a safety report with related documents in accordance
with Article 9 of the Seveso Regulations.
The County Administrative Board will be the regulatory authority for
environmentally hazardous activities, Seveso activities and water activities.
Vattenfall will draw up a proposal for a self-monitoring programme for the external
environment. The programme will describe how the environmental impact of the
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activity, and the conditions imposed by the Property and Environmental Affairs
Chamber (PEAC), will be monitored. Checks cover both the construction period
and the operational period and must be communicated to the regulatory authority
(the County Administrative Board of Halland) before they are performed.
3.4.2. Checks pursuant to the Nuclear Activities Act and the
Radiation Protection Act
Anyone who conducts nuclear activities is responsible for safety and radiation
protection and must carry out specified checks. The Swedish Radiation Safety
Authority monitors this process.
Vattenfall will draw up a programme for local environmental monitoring that will
include, in particular, procedures for monitoring discharges of radioactive effluents
into air and water and the monitoring of radioactive effluents in the environment.
Radiological consequences for the environment and people in the vicinity of the
nuclear power plant as a result of these discharges will be evaluated.
Sub-programmes that concern monitoring of radioactive effluents in the
environment must be approved by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority before
being applied. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority also conducts its own
random sample examinations and monitors the results.
4. Related activities
The following section describes activities that relate to the planned operations, but
are not covered by it.
4.1. Electrical system
The planned operations will produce electricity for the Swedish national grid. The
connection points to the existing 400 kV switchyard are located approximately 1.5
km east of the planned operational area.
Additional switchgear will be required to connect the operations to the national
grid. Switchgear will be built near the plant and connected to outgoing lines that in
turn connect to the main grid at the existing 400 kV switchgear facility east of the
Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. The facility is connected to the main grid through
underground cables, overhead lines or a combination of these.
In addition to connection to the 400 kV grid for the output of electrical power, the
facility may require connection to the 132 kV grid for independent input. The line
will be laid underground or via overhead lines from nearby 132 kV switchyards.
Switchgear and connecting lines are facilities subject to a concession under the
Electricity Act (1997:857).
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4.2. External management of spent nuclear fuel and
nuclear waste
Spent nuclear fuel will temporarily be stored in the facility’s fuel pools, while low-
and intermediate-level nuclear waste will be stored in planned operations on an
interim basis, in accordance with the criteria set out in section 3.3.4. Subsequent
management of nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel, such as interim storage by
an external party and final disposal, is not covered by the planned operations and
will therefore not be subject to impact assessment as part of the permit
applications. However, the principles for interim storage and final disposal will be
described in brief in the application documents.
Under the Nuclear Activities Act and the Radiation Protection Act, Swedish
nuclear power companies are required to manage their radioactive waste. Today,
this is done by Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB (SKB), a company owned by
Sweden’s nuclear power companies. Vattenfall will follow the rules in place to
ensure that resources are allocated for the disposal of radioactive waste
generated. Holders of permits for nuclear reactors are required to pay a fee to the
Nuclear Waste Fund, which is managed by the Swedish National Debt Office. The
funds in this fund will cover the cost of nuclear waste disposal, among other
costs. In addition, companies provide financial collateral to manage a possible
situation where the fund’s funds are not sufficient. In the autumn of 2023, the
government appointed an inquiry group to analyse, in particular, the need for any
changes to the system used to manage nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel
from new nuclear power (Dir. 2023:155). The inquiry group will present proposals
in that regard on August 29, 2025. The government has also commissioned the
Swedish National Debt Office in the spring of 2024 to investigate the need for any
changes to regulations governing the financing of the disposal of nuclear waste
when new nuclear reactors are being developed. Particular importance should be
placed on ensuring that the regulations do not prevent reactors on new sites, new
actors or actors with waste from new reactor types from establishing themselves.
The group has been tasked with preparing a report and submitting it by 31 August
2025 at the latest. Vattenfall will follow the inquiry group’s work.
Currently, the existing system for the disposal of radioactive waste and spent
nuclear fuel consists of the Central Interim Storage Facility for Spent Nuclear Fuel
(Clab) in Oskarshamn, the Repository for Short-Lived Radioactive Waste (SFR) in
Forsmark and related transport systems. There are plans to add more facilities to
the current system, including a facility for final repository of spent nuclear fuel and
a repository for long-lived waste (SFL). In addition, a new encapsulation facility
will be built in the vicinity of Clab. Clab, along with the encapsulation facility, will
constitute Clink. The existing system for managing radioactive waste and spent
nuclear fuel, as well as planned facilities, is shown in Figure 5.
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Figure 5. The existing system for managing radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. The blue rock chambers in
SFR, the encapsulation facility adjacent to Clab and SFL, and the final repository for spent nuclear fuel are facilities
that have yet to be built (Svensk Kärnbränslehantering AB).
The planned operations will be aligned with the existing system for managing
radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel, but new facilities with their own permits
will need to be established. However, this is not included in the planned
operations.
4.3. Decommissioning
The lifespan of planned reactors is estimated at 60–80 years. When electricity
generation ceases, decommissioning work begins. Decommissioning refers to
everything from permanently shutting down the reactor, removal of spent fuel,
phased demolition, cleaning, storage and removal of demolition materials and
radioactive waste to restoration of the area. The operator is required to have a
preliminary plan for decommissioning, and such a plan will be developed by
Vattenfall. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that radiation protection aspects
such as radiation doses, discharges of radioactive effluents and waste quantities
are taken into account during decommissioning.
Decommissioning a nuclear reactor is an activity that in itself requires a permit
under the Environmental Code. This means that the operations sought do not
include future decommisioningclosure. When relevant, this matter will be
managed separately. Decommissioning will therefore not be included in impact
assessments for the planned operations, but will be described in brief in the
application documents.
5. Alternative
5.1. Zero alternative
An environmental impact assessment must, among other things, include a
description of how the current state of the environment is expected to change in
the future if the intended activity does not take place, a so-called zero alternative.
The purpose of reporting the zero alternative is to provide a basis for evaluating
what change the activity or measure entails from an environmental point of view.
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The zero alternative in this case consists of the planned operations not being
established at the site.
One consequence of the operation not coming to fruition is that the planned
addition of predictable and fossil-free electricity production from the operation in
the mid-2030s will not occur. This means an increased risk that the production of
electricity in Sweden will not be sufficient to meet the increased demand that is
expected to occur in the coming decades as a result of, among other things,
electrification and the green transition of industry.
5.2. Alternative localisation
Under the Environmental Code's localisation principle (Chapter 2) Article 6 states
that for an activity or measure that uses a land or water area, a location must be
chosen that is suitable with a view to achieving the purpose with the least
interference and inconvenience to human health and the environment. Under
Article 17 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, the environmental
impact assessment must, among other things, contain information about possible
alternative locations and the reasons why the selected location has been chosen
over other alternatives.
A location investigation has been carried out at an early stage to identify a
suitable location for the facility, taking into account that the purpose of the
operation can be achieved with the least interference and inconvenience to
human health and the environment, in accordance with the general rules of
consideration in the Environmental Code. Balances have also been made
between conflicting interests in accordance with the Planning and Building Act
(2010:900).
The location study investigated possible locations for the planned operations
based on several criteria, including space requirements, access to infrastructure
and electricity grids, and proximity to the coast. The location alternatives that met
the basic criteria were further evaluated in an in-depth investigation.
In the in-depth investigation, the location alternatives were evaluated based on,
among other things, how much untouched land would need to be used by the
operation, the impact on national interests and other protected natural areas,
distance to housing, and more. Based on a balanced assessment of all relevant
aspects, a location on the Värö Peninsula, directly west and southwest of the
Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant, was deemed to be the most suitable, taking into
account that the purpose should be achieved with the least interference and
inconvenience to human health and the environment.
The completed location investigation will be described in more detail in the
upcoming environmental impact assessment.
5.3. Alternative design
Under Chapter 2, Article 3 of the Environmental Code, the best possible
technology must be used to prevent an activity from causing damage or
inconvenience to human health and the environment. Evaluation of various
suppliers for the nuclear facility is underway and the upcoming environmental
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impact assessment will contain a report on alternative technologies for and
designs of the planned operations. The presentation of alternative technologies
will focus on the design of necessary facilities and measures that are relevant
based on environmental impact.
The planned operations are considered to be covered by Chapter 21, Article 9 of
the Environmental Assessment Regulations (activity code 40.50-i). The operation
is therefore also considered to be covered by the Industrial Emissions
Regulations (2013:250). For combustion plants to be covered by the conclusions
on best available techniques for large combustion plants (BAT-LCP), the criterion
stated is that the total rated input power must be at least 50 MW. When assessing
the total power, a total of installed input power shall be calculated for all
combustion units that have an installed input power of at least 15 MW. Planned
reserve power units will each have an installed input power of less than 15 MW,
which means that the operation is not considered to be covered by BAT-LCP .
Instead, the planned operations are covered by the Regulations (2018:471) on
Medium Combustion Plants (FMF), which implement Directive 2015/2193/EU on
the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium
combustion plants (MCP Directive).
The activity is also considered to be covered by BREF4 -documents Energy
Efficiency and Industrial Cooling Systems. The BREF document Energy Efficiency
was adopted by the European Commission in February 2009. The document is a
cross-cutting document that covers energy efficiency in several different industrial
sectors. The aim is to provide general indications on energy efficiency
technologies that can be considered as a suitable reference point. The BREF
document Industrial Cooling Systems was adopted by the European Commission
in December 2001. The document is a cross-cutting document that covers the
use of cooling systems in several different industrial sectors. The document only
covers cooling systems that use air and/or water for heat exchange.
Any applicable and relevant parts of the conclusions on best available techniques
under the Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) will be reported in the
upcoming application and environmental impact assessment.
6. Environmental conditions
6.1. Environment
The operations are planned to be located within about ten properties, directly
west and southwest of the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant, on the Värö Peninsula
in the Varberg Local Authority Area. The properties currently include permanent
residences, holiday homes and agricultural properties. The majority of the
properties are owned by Vattenfall and are rented or leased to private individuals
and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU). The planned
operational area and its surroundings are shown in Figure 6. The operational area
is assessed to be larger than the area required for future operation of nuclear
activities. In addition, temporary storage and assembly sites outside the operating
area may be needed during the construction period.
4 BREF = best available techniques reference document
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Bua and Väröbacka are the closest urban areas located just over 1 km and
approximately 4.5 km from the planned location, respectively. The towns of
Skällåkra and Gloppe are located approximately 1-1.5 km from the planned
location.
On the other side of Båtafjorden in Bua, about 2 km south, there is a preschool
and school. There is also a landscaped playground and sports field. In
Limabacka, about 5 km to the southeast, there is a retirement home.
In Båtafjorden is Videbergshamn, which consists of a recreational harbour and a
harbour belonging to Ringhals AB. The part of the port that belongs to Ringhals
AB is used primarily for the importation of fuel and the exportation of radioactive
waste, but is also used for other types of goods and by other companies. There is
a public road between the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant and the harbour.
Traffic in the local area consists mostly of transport to and from the Ringhals
Nuclear Power Plant and the neighbouring community of Bua. The nearest major
road is the E6 between Malmö and Gothenburg, located approximately 6 km east
of the planned operation. Road 848, as well as road 850 and road 847, run from
road E6 to the planned operational area.
Figure 6. Map of the operational area and surroundings (Lantmäteriet).
Lokalisering – Localisation
Verskamhetsområde – Area of operation
Preliminärt utslapp kylvatten - Preliminary cooling water discharge
Preliminärt intag kylvatten - Preliminary intake of cooling water -
Vårdinretning - Care facility
Idrotsplats - Sports centre
Äldreboende - Retirement home
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Lekplats - Playground
Skola/Förskola - School/Preschool
6.2. Planning document
6.2.1. Comprehensive plan
The planned area of operation is located within an area that in the
Comprehensive Plan for the Varberg Local Authority (adopted on 15.06.2010), is
designated as “Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant and Its Surroundings”5 . According
to the master plan, in the surrounding areas of Lingome, western Båtafjorden and
northern Biskopshagen, very strict restrictions must be observed when examining
buildings and other measures with regard to the nearby nuclear power plant. The
County Administrative Board shall therefore, taking into account the protection
area around the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant and the health and safety of the
residents, specifically examine issues regarding building permits and prior
approvals in these areas. Figure 7 shows part of the land and water use map for
the current comprehensive plan.
5 Comprehensive Plan for Varberg Local Authority, adopted by the City Council on 15.06.2010.
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Figure 7. Land and water use map (Comprehensive Plan for Varberg Local Authority, revised by WSP).
Befintligt verksamhetsområde Existing activity area
C- Särskilda hänsyn C- Special considerations
Fritidshusområde Holiday home area
Tätortsnära naturområde Nature area close to the city centre
Kollektivtrafikstråk Public transport route
Utredningsområde för vindkraft Study area for wind power
Område med bevarandevärd naturmiljö Area with a natural environment worth
preserving
Stad och serviceort Town and service centre
Randzon Peripheral zone
Varberg Local Authority adopted an in-depth master plan for the Northern Coast
on 14.02..6 which covers the area of the planned operations. The goal of the
detailed master plan is long-term sustainable development and to enable a good
living environment, a good business environment, and to protect and make
accessible natural and recreational areas. The detailed master plan includes a
plan proposal with specifically identified development areas. The closest
designated development area from the planned area of operation is Bua.
Work is underway to develop a new master plan for Varberg Local Authority that
will extend until 2050.
6.2.2. Zoning plans
Large parts of the planned operational area are covered by the current zoning
plan for Ringhals (VÄ56). Parts of the coastal area covered by VÄ56 were
updated with a new zoning plan in 2010 to enable the establishment of wind
power (VÄ94). The zoning plans are presented in Figure 8 below.
6Comprehensive Plan for Varberg Local Authority – An In-Depth Comprehensive Plan for the Northern Coast,
adopted by the City Council on 14.02.2017.
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Figure 8. Existing zoned areas (Varberg Local Authority Area).
A detailed planning process has been initiated in parallel with the environmental
assessment process to amend existing zoning plans and/or prepare one or more
new detailed plans to enable the planned operations.
6.3. National interests
The Environmental Code contains provisions on how land and water should be
protected and used. Certain areas are classified as being of national interest,
either to protect the areas from exploitation or to ensure that they can be used for
a specific, important purpose. Within and in the immediate area surrounding the
planned area of operation, there are national interests covered by Chapters 3 and
4 of the Environmental Code, see Figure 9 and Table 2.
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Figure 9. Identified national interests within and in the immediate area surrounding planned operations. National
interests covering the entire area shown have been excluded from the map. National interest in active outdoor
recreation and highly exploited coasts is therefore not visible in the figure. Areas of national interest for energy
production and energy distribution are classified and the extent of these areas is therefore not shown in the figure.
(Lantmäteriet, County Administrative Board's geodatabase).
Riksintressen National interests
Verksamhetsomräde Field of activity
Riksintresse Friluftsliv National interest Outdoor life
Riksintresse Naturvård National interest Nature conservation
Natura 2000 - Fågeldirektlvet Natura 2000 - Birds Directive
Riksintresse Kommunikationer – sjöfart/farled National interest Communications - shipping / waterway
Riksintresse Kommunikationer - befintlig hamn National interest Communications - existing harbour
Riksintresse Yrkesfiske - hamn National interest Commercial fishing - harbour
Riksintresse Yrkesfiske - hav National interest Commercial fishing - sea
Table 2. A general description of national interests in and around the area directly surrounding the planned activity.
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National interest Title Distance from Description of the
the planned protection value
operations
Energy production Ringhals-Värö Overlapping Ringhals/Värö Peninsula
(Chapter 3 of the Peninsula, Varberg consists of a land and
Environmental water area that enables
Code) large energy and power
supplies, has a strategic
location for energy
conversion and is of great
importance for security of
supply. The area's
strategic location and
access to infrastructure
also make it possible to
contribute important
balance and regulatory
power to the system.
Energy distribution Ringhals Overlapping Connection lines from
(Chapter 3 of the areas of national interest
Environmental for energy production to
Code) the national grid.
Active outdoor life Halland’s coastal Overlapping Area with particularly high
(Chapter 4 of the area values for tourism and
Environmental active outdoor activities.
Code)
Highly exploited Halland’s coastal Overlapping Coastal and archipelago
coast area area with great
(Chapter 4 of the conservation value.
Environmental Establishment of
Code) environmentally
disruptive facilities may
take place in places
where similar operations
already exist.
Commercial fishing South Nidingen Overlapping Fishing area for lobster
(Chapter 3 of the and herring/European
Environmental sprat.
Code)
Natura 2000 The Boat Fjord Adjacent Coastal beach meadow
(Chapter 4 of the with rich bird life.
Environmental
Code)
Communications – The entrance to Adjacent Public waterway.
Shipping/Fairway Ringhals
(Chapter 3 of the
Environmental
Code)
Communications – Ringhals harbour Adjacent Port of central
Port importance.
(Chapter 3 of the
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Environmental
Code)
Commercial fishing Bua Approximately Fishing port.
(Chapter 3 of the 800 m
Environmental
Code)
Nature conservation Klosterfjorden – Approximately Outstanding examples of
(Chapter 3 of the Getterön 800 m coastal landscapes that
Environmental particularly well
Code) demonstrate the
development of the
landscape.
Threatened or vulnerable
biotopes and species.
Very rich plant and
animal life.
Outdoor life Onsalalandet- Approximately Enriching experiences in
(Chapter 3 of the Kungsbackafjorden- 2.5 km natural and/or cultural
Environmental Tjolöholm environments.
Code) Outdoor activities and
thus enriching
experiences.
Water-related outdoor
activities and thus
enriching experiences.
Nature conservation Vendel Islands Approximately An area that particularly
(Chapter 3 of the Archipelago 3.5 km well demonstrates the
Environmental development of both the
Code) natural and cultural
landscape.
6.4. Geology and soil conditions
The bedrock in and around the planned operational area consists mainly of
gneisses with a dominant granitic to granodiorite composition. The rock quality is
classified as consistently good.7 . The soil depth within the area varies between
0–15 metres with the deepest soil depths in the southern part of the area. The
soils consist of both clay and organic soils as well as friction soils of sand and
moraine.
The planned area of operation is not located within any designated risk area for
landslides, rock falls or erosion.8 . A number of minor landslide caution areas
along certain stretches of coast in the immediate vicinity of the planned
operational area are identified in the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU) map
service. A smaller such area also fits on the coast within the northern part of the
planned operational area. These are areas where there may be conditions for
landslides in clay and silt soil.9 . The stability of the soil will be further investigated
7
Project Svea – Soil investigations. Final report, feasibility study, COWI, 30.03.2015.
8
Guidance on landslides, erosion (ver. 2023_1.4.5) (swedgeo.se) Visited on 28.09.2023.
9
SGU's map viewer, layer for “Conditions for landslides in fine-grained soil” Visited on 28.09.2023.
31 (62)
as part of the process of preparing application documents and any risks
associated with this will be managed during construction of the facility.
Historical photographs show that agricultural activities have primarily been carried
out within the planned area of operation. The County Administrative Board's map
of suspected and confirmed contaminated areas (EBH map) shows that in
connection with the planned operational area there are two areas classified in risk
class 3 (moderate risk), see Figure 10. These areas are called “Industrial landfills”
and “Harbours – recreational marinas, boat parking areas”, respectively. In
addition, there is an unexplored area called "Wastewater Treatment Plant" 10 .
Figure 10. Map of potentially contaminated areas, EBH map (Lantmäteriet, Halland County Administrative Board).
Potentiellt förorenade områden Potentially contaminated sites
Verksamhetsområde Area of activity
Riskklass/Preciserad status efter åtgärd Risk class/specified status after action
Mycket stor risk Very high risk
Stor risk High risk
Måttlig risk Moderate risk
Liten risk Low risk
Ej riskkklassade Not classified as risk
6.5. Hydrology
The Värö Peninsula borders two surface water bodies, the Vändelsö Archipelago
(SE571720-120640) and the North Central Halland Coastal Waters (SE570000-
120701). Both water bodies are classified as having a moderate ecological status,
10
The County Administrative Board's geoportal. EBH map. Visited on 29.11.2023.
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and they do not have a good chemical status. The impact on relevant quality
factors for the status classification will be reported in the application.
Within the planned operational area there are a number of smaller water bodies
and wetlands. In Varberg Local Authority’s Nature Conservation Programme,
which is used as a basis for community planning and nature conservation work, a
wetland area situated northeast of Biskopshagen Nature Reserve is mentioned. 11
The wetland area overlaps the planned operational area.
There is no identified groundwater body within the planned operational area.
According to SGU's mapping service, the nearest reported well/individual water
source in Skällåkra is approximately 1 km from the planned operational area. 12 .
6.6. Natural values
There are a number of designated areas of nature worthy of protection in the
vicinity of the planned operational area, see Figure 11 and Table 3.
Figure 11. Natural areas worthy of protection within or in the immediate vicinity of planned operations (Lantmäteriet,
County Administrative Board’s geodatabase).
Naturmiljöområden Natural environment areas
Verksamhetsområde Area of activity
Natura 2000 - Fågeldirektivet Natura 2000 - Birds Directive
Riksintresse naturvård National interest in nature conservation
Naturreservat Nature reserve
Djur- och växtskyddsområde Animal and plant protection area
11 Nature Conservation Programme for Varberg Local Authority (revised edition, 2007).
12
SGU’s map viewer, warehouse for “wells” Visited on 13.10.2023.
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Table 3. General description of areas with protected nature in the immediate area or within the area of the planned
operations.
Type of area Title Distance from Description of the
protection the planned protection value
operations
Nature reserve Bishop's Garden Overlapping The area is approximately 83
hectares in size and aims to
preserve biodiversity (vascular
flora), meet the need for an area
for outdoor recreation, and to
care for and preserve valuable
natural environments.
Natura 2000 site (bird The Boat Fjord Adjacent The area is approximately 255
directive SPA) hectares in size and aims to
preserve or restore a favourable
condition for the species that
formed the basis for the
designation of the area. The
priority conservation values are
coastal meadows with rich bird
life. Priority birds are waders and
terns.
National interest in Klosterfjorden- Approximately The area contains a well-
nature conservation Getterön 800 m preserved, varied and open
cultural landscape of great value.
The area includes representative
natural pastures such as coastal
meadows, heather heath, bushy
outback and open pastureland.
Here, plant communities with
traditionally favoured species are
found, some of which are rich in
species and individuals.
Nature reserve Vendel Islands Approximately The area includes valuable
2.5 km grazing landscapes and geology
with terrace-like rock and rauk
formations built up of
charnockite, a weathered gneiss
variety that is unique to Halland,
as well as high marine values in
the form of eelgrass meadows.
Animal and plant South Ledskär Approximately Seal protection area.
protection area 2.5 km
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National interest in Vendelsö Approximately An area that particularly well
nature conservation Archipelago 3.5 km demonstrates the development of
both the natural and cultural
landscape.
6.7. Protected species
On the Värö Peninsula, species that are protected under the Species Protection
Regulations have been observed. Including vascular plants, amphibians,
mammals, reptiles, birds and insects.
Vattenfall will conduct a number of species inventories and carry out in-depth
investigations, see section 8.3, to assess the potential impact of operations on
these (and other) species and whether the operations require an exemption from
the Species Protection Regulations. The investigations will be included in the
application documents.
6.8. Cultural heritage
Within the planned area of operation, a number of ancient ruins and other cultural
artefacts, including stone settings and settlements, that may be affected have
been identified, see Figure 12. There are also several ancient ruins and other
cultural artefacts within the Biskopshagen Nature Reserve.13 .
Ancient ruins are traces of abandoned human activity that occurred before the
year 1850. All ancient ruins, even those that are not known, are protected under
the Cultural Environment Act. Cultural historical artefacts also include traces of
human activity that occurred during and after 1850. Other cultural and historical
artefacts do not have the same protection as an ancient monument, but
consideration and care must be shown.
13 The National Antiquities Authority's search service Fornsök. Visited on 19.09.2023.
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Figure 12. Identified cultural values within and in the immediate surroundings of the planned operations (Swedish
National Land Survey, Varberg Local Authority, Swedish National Antiquities Authority).
Kulturmiljö Cultural environment
Verksamhetsområde Area of activity
Kulturmiljöprogram Varbergs kommun Cultural environment programme Varberg
municipality
Fornlämning, punkt Ancient monument, point
Fornlämning Ancient monument
Ingen antikvarisk bedömning No antiquarian assessment
Möjlig fornlämning Possible ancient remains
Övrig kullurhlslorisk lämning Other cultural-historical remains
Fornlämning, ytor Ancient monument, surfaces
Fornlämning Ancient monument
Ingen antikvarisk bedömning No antiquarian assessment
Möjlig fornlämning Possible ancient monument
Övrig kulturhistorisk lämning Other cultural-historical remains
Varberg Local Authority’s Cultural Environment Programme from 2016 identifies
important cultural environments within the local authority’s area. The cultural
environment programme shows that the Ringhals area has cultural and historical
values from a social, industrial and architectural historical perspective, among
other things. Bua village and the Vendel Islands are also designated as important
cultural environments.14 .
14 Cultural Environment Programme for Varberg Local Authority (2017).
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There is no national interest in cultural environment protection in the vicinity of the
planned operations. The nearest, Nidingens Fyrplats, is over a mile north of the
business.
6.9. Landscape, outdoor life and recreation
The planned operations will use land areas that were previously partially
undeveloped. The area for planned operations consists of open land, with
mountains in the northern part of the area and a more open agricultural landscape
with housing in the southern part. There are also areas of deciduous and pine
forests, often in mountainous terrain, in the landscape. The height above sea
level varies greatly within the area. The areas with agricultural land are located at
approximately 2–20 meters above sea level, while the mountain peaks reach 30
metres above sea level in some places.
West of the planned operational area lies Biskopshagen Nature Reserve. The
nature reserve has natural pastures in the southern part and drier and nutrient-
poor rocky areas (heather landscapes) in the northern parts. In the depressions,
there are wetlands, and in areas close to the shore, there are shingle fields, rocky
outcrops of shale gneiss and various smaller water-filled depressions, so-called
rock pools.
Directly east of the planned operational area has been the Ringhals Nuclear
Power Plant since the 1970s. The power plant area is around 100 hectares in size
with buildings of varying heights.
The coastal area of North Halland is a recreational area for residents and tourists.
There are good opportunities for swimming, fishing, outdoor activities and nature
experiences. The entire area of operation is within the National Interest for
Outdoor Recreation. The national interest extends from the border with Skåne in
the south to Gothenburg in the north.
7. Expected environmental impacts
Chapter 6 of the Environmental Code states that environmental impacts mean
direct or indirect effects that are positive or negative, temporary or permanent,
cumulative or non-cumulative and that arise in the short, medium or long term on
the environment or human health. Environmental impacts are not limited
geographically; they can occur both in the immediate area and far away, and
within and outside Sweden's borders.
The following chapter presents preliminary environmental impacts resulting from
the construction and operation of the planned operations. The descriptions are
based on the different alternatives being considered and preliminary
environmental effects are described for the alternative that generates the greatest
need for space or the greatest environmental impact. Estimates for transports
given in section 7.6 below are based on rough estimates and may be adjusted
when more information is obtained.
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7.1. Land use
7.1.1. During construction
Planned operations require a larger land area during construction than the land
area required for the operation of the facility. In addition, temporary storage and
assembly sites outside the operational area may be utilised during the
construction period. These may be located in the immediate area or in
neighbouring local authorities. Most of the temporary storage and assembly areas
will be restored after the construction period.
During all earthworks, special precautions will be taken in the event that
contaminated materials are encountered. Contaminated materials will be handled
appropriately in collaboration with the regulatory authority in accordance with the
Environmental Code.
7.1.2. During operation
The operation is estimated to have a lifespan of 60–80 years. Neither during this
time nor during the subsequent decommissioning will the land be able to be used
for other purposes.
7.2. Natural and cultural environment
7.2.1. During construction
The planned operations will take place in part of the Biskopshagen Nature
Reserve. A natural value inventory covering the current land area will be carried
out, and the issue of utilising the nature reserve will be investigated further. A
process to revoke the nature reserve has been initiated at the County
Administrative Board. Vattenfall will strive to minimise the impact on biodiversity
and is investigating the possibility of compensation.
Possible disturbances during the construction period include noise, dust,
vibrations and light. If the activity is assessed to have a significant impact on the
environment in the nearby Natura 2000 site Båtafjorden, a permit is required in
accordance with Chapter 7. Article 28 a of the Environmental Code. This will be
investigated further and if it is assessed that there is a risk of significant impact, a
Natura 2000 permit will be sought.
Several inventories, including bird inventories and bat inventories, will be carried
out and the results will be attached to the upcoming application.
The marine environment will also be affected in connection with the construction
of a new cooling water intake and the possible construction of a new discharge
tunnel, for which reason marine inventories will be carried out.
There are known ancient ruins and other cultural and historical artefacts in the
area that may be affected by the establishment. The presence of ancient
monuments and any impact on them will be investigated further as part of the
process of preparing application documents. Vattenfall will seek the permits
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required under the Cultural Environment Act in cases where the ruins are at risk
of being affected by the construction. If additional ancient ruins are found during
excavation, this will be handled in accordance with the provisions of the Cultural
Environment Act.
7.2.2. During operation
It will be investigated whether operating the planned operations may have a
significant impact on the environment in the Natura 2000 area Båtafjorden and
how the Biskopshagen Nature Reserve will be affected by the activity, as well as
species worthy of protection in the surrounding area. How intake and discharge of
cooling water, among other things, may affect the marine environment will also be
investigated as part of the application.
After the facility is built, no further impact on the cultural environment is expected.
7.3. Outdoor life, recreation and landscape
7.3.1. During construction
During construction, the landscape will gradually be transformed through
earthworks and civil engineering works. The project will take place in a landscape
that is currently home to large and tall buildings and power lines at the Ringhals
Nuclear Power Plant.
Accessibility to the Värö Peninsula will be limited and possibly cease during the
construction period, which may affect the possibility of outdoor activities in the
area for certain periods.
7.3.2. During operation
The visual impact of the completed facility on the landscape depends on the
supplier and technology choice. Some designs involve the reactors being blasted
into the rock while others involve placement above ground. The maximum height
of the facility may be on par with the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant’s existing
installations/buildings. A landscape image analysis will be produced as part of the
application.
While the operation is ongoing and under closure, the land within the operation
area will not be able to be used for outdoor activities and recreation. Accessibility
to unoccupied parts of the Värö Peninsula may become more difficult or cease
during the operation of the facility. In the parts of the nature reserve that will need
to be used for the operation, it will not be possible to practice outdoor activities.
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7.4. Resource usage
7.4.1. During construction
Resource use during construction will be based on circular principles, which aim
to reduce resource use and utilise resources in a sustainable manner.
During construction of the facility, large amounts of building materials such as
steel, concrete, cement, aggregates/sand/gravel and certain metals such as
copper and aluminium will be used. The use of primary raw materials and
resources will be minimised and, where possible, supplemented with reused or
recycled resources.
During construction, a large number of chemical products will also be used. In
addition to pure building materials, there will be explosives, paints, welding gases
and maintenance chemicals, for example. Routines for storage, handling of
chemicals and disposal of chemical residues will be developed and will be in
effect during the construction and operation phases.
Fuels, mainly in the form of diesel, for work vehicles will be available. The
possibility of using electric transport and more sustainable fuels, with the aim of
minimising greenhouse gas emissions, will be investigated.
Electricity will be consumed for lighting, among other things. Parts of the
electricity requirement may be produced with electricity generators if it is not
possible to ensure electricity supply in another way.
Municipal water will be used for work such as concrete pouring, flushing, cleaning
and the like. Furthermore, municipal water will be used for sanitary purposes in
construction sheds, offices and residences.
7.4.2. During operation
Uranium dioxide is used as fuel in reactor tank(s). Fuel consumption is estimated
to be a maximum of 70 tonnes of uranium dioxide per year for the entire
operation.
Operation and maintenance of the facility will require several different chemical
products, but which products these will be has not yet been studied in detail.
When it comes to operating chemicals, these depend partly on the choice of
reactor technology and supplier. Examples of operating chemicals that may be
relevant are boric acid, hydrazine, hydrogen gas and lithium hydroxide. To
regenerate the filters used to completely desalinate process water, sodium
hydroxide and sulfuric acid are also required. Chlorine or hypochlorite, which may
be added to the cooling water to reduce the growth of marine organisms, are
further examples of possible operating chemicals. The maintenance chemicals
will include various lubricating oils, greases, solvents, cleaning agents and the
like. Vehicle service and fuel management will take place. All handling of
chemical products will comply with applicable legal requirements and all liquid
chemicals will be stored safely using embankments or equivalent. Collection
materials will be available for handling spills. Substitution of chemical products to
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chemicals that are less environmentally and health hazardous will be
implemented whenever possible.
Internal and external transport will consume fossil fuels or biofuels. The possibility
of using electric transport or a larger proportion of sustainable fuels, with the aim
of minimising emissions, will be investigated.
The operation of the facility will use electricity to operate pumps, ventilation, some
heating, lighting, instrumentation and the like. Maximum electricity consumption
for operating reactors with an output of 2,800 MWe is estimated at approximately
170 MW in installed power.
Municipal water will be used in the process to cool the core and allow continued
nuclear reaction, as well as to produce steam for turbine operation. This takes
place in a closed process where the water is circulated. An alternative to using
municipal water is to use seawater for the process. Regardless of the origin of the
water, it will need to be desalinated, via ion exchange and osmosis treatment,
before it is used in the process. To reduce consumption, a large portion of the
process water will be purified and reused during the operational phase. Municipal
water will also be used for sanitary purposes.
Seawater will be used to cool the nuclear facility. Cooling water consumption, in
the form of seawater, is estimated to amount to approximately 120 m 3 per
second.
7.5. Waste
7.5.1. During construction
Waste management during construction will be based on circular principles, which
aim to reduce resource use and waste, and promote the reuse and recycling of
materials in a sustainable manner. Excavated materials that arise in the area will
be utilised in the project to the extent possible. Construction waste will be
managed with a focus on recycling and reuse, and in accordance with applicable
regulations to minimise the impact on human health and the environment.
7.5.2. During operation
Waste generated outside the controlled area is conventional waste such as
packaging materials, office supplies, plastic, wood, metal and household waste.
The conventional waste can be both non-hazardous and hazardous waste and
will be handled in accordance with the Waste Regulations (2020:614) and
delivered to transporters and recipients who hold the necessary permits.
The waste that is expected to arise in the operation, after preventive measures,
will be handled and classified based on established routines depending on the
type of material and the amount of radioactivity. Radioactive waste will be
managed with safety as the highest priority and in accordance with laws and
regulations. The waste that will arise during operation is assessed to be of the
same nature as the waste that arises at other nuclear power reactors in Sweden.
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7.6. Transportation
7.6.1. During construction
During construction, transportation of, among other things, soil and rock
materials, building materials and construction components to and from the
operational area will be carried out. There are existing roads to and within the
area, however, some roads may need to be strengthened to handle road
transport to and from the area during construction. The main transport route is
road 848 from Väröbacka, via exit 56 to road E6, see Figure 13. In addition,
routes 850 and 847 can also be used. It should be taken into account that route
847 passes through the Natura 2000 area Båtafjorden.
Figure 13. Overview map of possible transportation routes (Lantmäteriet, Vattenfall).
Transporter Transport
Verksamhetsområde Area of activity
Huvudsaklig transportväg Main transport route
Alternativ transportvåg Alternative transport route
The proximity to suitable ports, such as Videbergshamn, the ports of Halland or
the Port of Gothenburg, enables sea transport of bulky equipment and more.
Videbergshamn has a permit for handling raw materials and materials connected
to nuclear facilities. Other ports have permits for handling, among other things,
containers, bulk, RoRo, steel and sheet metal products and liquid bulk.
The foundation and ground preparation phase is estimated to generate
approximately 250–300 truck transports (500–600 vehicle movements) daily for
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the transport of excavated materials and rock material. This is provided that all
rock material that is brought up is transported away from the facility. However,
some of the rock material will likely be used for backfilling and ground levelling at
the construction site. During the subsequent construction phase of approximately
eight years, approximately 60,000–120,000 truck transports are estimated to
occur, which corresponds to 120,000–240,000 vehicle movements or
approximately 40–80 vehicle movements per day. To keep the number of
transports down, Vattenfall will, among other things, plan to ensure that the
vehicles do not travel empty on any route and work towards a high fill rate in the
vehicles.
In addition to truck transport, approximately one hundred sea transports are
estimated for the transport of heavy components. Depending on the distribution
between the respective modes of transport, the stated number of transports may
vary. An increased number of sea transports reduces the need for truck transport
and vice versa. Transportation to and from the facility for personnel is not
included in the figures given above.
7.6.2. During operation
During the operational phase, goods transport will mainly take place via truck.
Exceptionally, sea transport will take place. Transport will consist of internal
transport, external freight transport and staff travel to and from work. The number
of vehicle movements per day is estimated to be approximately 2,300, of which
approximately 150 vehicle movements will consist of heavy transport. The main
transportation route will be the same as during the construction phase.
7.7. Noise, light and vibrations
7.7.1. During construction
Noise disturbances will occur in the immediate vicinity during the construction
period. Work at the beginning of the construction phase will, among other things,
give rise to vibrations and a higher noise level, especially during blasting and
handling of explosives. Crushing of materials may also occur. Increased
transportation in the area will generate noise.
A noise investigation will be prepared as a basis for assessing the noise levels
caused by the operation and any need for measures to ensure that the Swedish
Environmental Protection Agency's current guideline values for noise from
construction sites are met. Noise from traffic to and from the construction site will
be assessed based on the guideline values that apply to traffic noise.
Other possible disturbances during the construction period include vibrations and
light, as the construction area will be illuminated in the evening and at night.
7.7.2. During operation
Noise sources in the form of transportation, ventilation systems, testing of safety
valves and similar activities will give rise to some noise in the surrounding area.
The noise investigation to be carried out will assess how the planned operations
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relates to the guideline values stated in the Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency's guidance for industrial noise and the possible need for protective
measures.
7.8. Groundwater
7.8.1. During construction
In connection with the construction of the facility and associated infrastructure, it
will likely be necessary to drain groundwater through pumping. Vattenfall will carry
out additional surveys and investigations regarding groundwater and geotechnical
engineering. The results of the investigations will, among other things, report the
area of impact from the groundwater diversion and whether protective measures
will be needed, in the form of, for example, retaining walls or foundation walls to
ensure that ground levels and groundwater levels on surrounding land are not
negatively affected.
Vibrations from blasting work can also activate cracks with the risk of surface
water moving downwards and with the risk of affecting the groundwater level. If
there are remaining wells in the area, a well inventory may be necessary, which
includes level measurement and water quality control in nearby wells to determine
the current situation for future checks.
7.8.2. During operation
As the facility may be lowered into the bedrock, below the groundwater level,
groundwater infiltration cannot be ruled out. The amount of groundwater leaking
in depends on the presence of cracks in the rock and the degree of sealing. The
penetrating water must be removed to avoid compromising the safety of the
facility. This will be done with pumps and the water will be led up to ground level
and then diverted via the storm water system. Regular monitoring of groundwater
levels will be included as part of the future environmental monitoring program.
7.9. Emissions into water
7.9.1. During construction
The seawater in the immediate area will be turbid during blasting, dredging and
construction of a new cooling water intake and a possible new cooling water
outlet. The impact and the need for any measures to minimise the impact on
benthic flora and fauna and the marine environment will be investigated as part of
the application.
7.9.2. During operation
Seawater for cooling will be filtered from fish, clams, jellyfish and seaweed. Water
containing separated cleaning material will be removed using flushing pumps.
The water will contain varying amounts of cleaning agent. During periods of low
sewage levels, this water is returned directly to the sea. In the case of large
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amounts of cleaning, the cleaning water will instead be drained. This is done to
avoid large amounts of cleaning agent being returned to the cooling water which
is then reinfiltrated into the plant. After dewatering, the sludge can be used as a
resource, depending on its content. To reduce fouling in the cooling water system,
chlorination of the cooling water tunnels may be carried out through
environmentally adapted dosing of hypochlorite, which is included with the cooling
water. The concentration that comes with the cooling water should be kept as low
as possible. Alternatively, mechanical cleaning of the tunnels will be carried out.
Mechanical cleaning is carried out by adding so-called cleaning balls to the
cooling water.
The cooling water circulating within the plant will, when released back into the
sea, have a temperature of around 10 degrees warmer than when the water was
taken in. In the sea, the heated cooling water will be mixed with the surrounding
seawater, which means that the heat output of the discharge will decrease.
When the plant is in operation, process water also occurs in the form of leakage
water, drainage water, flushing water when replacing ion exchangers and in
connection with cleaning. The process water is purified through filtration and ion
exchange, and most of the water can be reused in the process. However, smaller
amounts of purified process water need to be discharged from the plant via the
cooling water outlet. Small amounts of radioactive effluents will accompany the
purified process water into the sea. These substances can give rise to a limited
concentration of radioactive effluents in water recipients and in sediments and a
limited radiation dose to humans via the ingestion of fish and shellfish. For
nuclear activities, strict requirements apply to limiting radiation doses to the public
and discharge of radioactive effluents into the environment, including through
regulations on so-called dose restrictions and radiological acceptance criteria.
Current and possible future regulations in the area will be taken into account. An
assessment of exposure in the environment, including calculation of dose rates in
biota and radiation dose to humans, will be carried out, see also section 7.13.2.
Small amounts of process and maintenance chemicals such as boric acid, lye and
sulfuric acid may also be carried with the process water/cooling water into the
sea.
Storm water from paved surfaces will be diverted to the recipient at the inlet and
outlet channels. Storm water that is at risk of being contaminated by oil must pass
through oil separators before being discharged. The need for retention dams is
being investigated. A storm water investigation will be carried out as part of the
application.
The discharge of water from the operation will either take place to the Vändelsö
Archipelago water body (SE571720-120640) or to the coastal waters of North
Central Halland (SE570000-120701). Both water bodies have moderate
ecological status and they do not have good chemical status. The impact on
relevant quality factors for the status classification will be reported in the
application.
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7.10. Emissions to air
7.10.1. During construction
During construction, work machinery and transport will cause emissions of,
particles, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particles into the
air during construction. The possibility of using electric transport and more
sustainable fuels, with the aim of minimising emissions, will be investigated.
Smaller amounts of solvents will be released from building materials, degreasing,
paints and more.
Construction-related dust can periodically cause disturbances in the immediate
surroundings. Dust generation is expected primarily during the initial construction
work, for example during blasting and handling of rock masses. Construction-
related dust may have negative effects on the area's flora but is primarily a work
environment issue. To reduce dust, several different protective measures can be
taken if necessary. Examples of measures include watering or salting gravel
roads and areas, watering storage areas, vehicle beds, and connecting water to
nozzles on crushing machines and conveyor belts if these are used.
7.10.2. During operation
The operation of the reactors will result in small amounts of radioactive
substances being discharged into the atmosphere. These substances are diluted
in the air and only cause limited impact on the environment. An assessment of
environmental exposure, including calculation of dose rates in biota and radiation
dose to humans, will be performed. See also section 7.13.2.
Recurrent test operation of backup power units will result in emissions of primarily
carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide and particulate matter. In
addition, transport to, from and within the operating area generates similar
emissions into air.
7.11. The climate impact of the operation
7.11.1. During construction
The construction of planned operations will require materials such as steel,
concrete and other energy-intensive construction materials and inputs. Transport
and construction equipment will consume diesel and other fuels. To minimise the
impact on the climate during construction, the project will focus on resource
conservation. The use of resources with a lower climate footprint, such as
recycled materials, as well as electric transportation and more sustainable fuels,
will be investigated and implemented where possible.
7.11.2. During operation
Electricity production at a nuclear power plant is fossil-free. From a life cycle
perspective, the climate impact of a nuclear power plant is low and carbon dioxide
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emissions amount to approximately 5.71 grams per kWh 18 for existing nuclear
power, which is lower than the corresponding figure for both wind and
hydropower.1516 . The majority of greenhouse gas emissions are linked to
upstream and downstream processes such as the production of nuclear fuel and
materials for the infrastructure required for the distribution of electrical energy. 17 .
The operation of the nuclear power plant itself accounts for a smaller portion of
carbon dioxide emissions. Emissions of substances during the operation of the
plant that contribute to the greenhouse effect, eutrophication and acidification in
the form of nitrogen dioxides, carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide are generated
primarily during transport to and from the plant and during test runs of backup
power plants.
To minimise the impact on the climate during operations, the business will work
actively to conserve resources. Resources with a lower climate footprint, such as
recycled materials, electric transportation and more sustainable fuels, will be used
where possible.
7.12. Vulnerability to climate change and external
environmental events
7.12.1. During construction
The construction work will take place over a shorter period and may be affected
by temporary weather phenomena but will not be affected by climate change in
the longer term.
7.12.2. During operation
Nordic nuclear power is generally considered to be well-equipped against
consequences linked to climate change as nuclear power production is affected
by few weather and climate-related factors compared to the production of other
types of energy. However, weather-related events can affect operations and
delivery reliability and have financial consequences. Examples of such weather-
related events are lightning strikes, which can generate disruptions to the network
18 .
Climate change in the form of increased sea temperature can lead to an
increased occurrence of marine organisms that cause clogging of cooling water
pipes. Increases in sea temperature can also lower heat output and thus lead to
reduced production. Sea level rise is also a factor to consider. Based on the
scenarios that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assesses
as likely, it is estimated that the average water level in Varberg Local Authority in
2100 could rise by up to one metre compared to today. Estimated extreme sea
level rise with a return period of 100 years is stated at 1.6 metres above mean
15
Vattenfall AB (2021) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Nordic Hydropower. EPD® registration number: S-P-
00088
16
Vattenfall AB (2022) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Wind Farms. EPD Registration number: S-P-01435
17
Vattenfall AB (2022) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Nuclear Power Plants. EPD® Registration number: S-P
00923
47 (62)
sea level. 18 Planned operations will be located at an altitude of approximately
four to six meters above current sea level. Sea level rise is therefore not
considered to result in a need for additional protective measures.
Other external events to be taken into account in the continued work include the
risk of landslides, earthquakes, torrential rain, storms and fires during prolonged
droughts.
7.13. Risk and safety
7.13.1. During construction
To reduce the risk of environmentally related accidents such as emissions to
surrounding land and water environments during the construction phase,
necessary risk assessments will be carried out, protective measures and routines
will be implemented. Equipment for cleaning up chemical and fuel spills will be
readily available.
Vattenfall plans to build several reactors and bring them into operation in stages.
Construction work will then continue on the site while parts of the facility are in
operation. Risks associated with this will be analysed. Risks linked to the nearby
operations at the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant will also be analysed.
7.13.2. During operation
7.13.2.1. Radiation safety and radiological risks
The operator's radiation safety work is a central part of the assessment under the
Nuclear Activities Act. The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority sets requirements
for radiation safety and monitors that those who operate the facilities comply with
applicable regulations and requirements.
The concept of radiation safety encompasses radiation protection and safety.
Radiation safety has the highest priority in nuclear operations. The purpose of all
safety work is to prevent and mitigate the consequences of an accident, so that
human health and the environment are protected against unwanted effects of
radiation now and in the future. The operation's radiation safety work shall be
maintained at as high a level as is practically possible and it shall be further
developed based on operational experience and taking into account scientific and
technical developments. In accordance with the principle of defence in depth, the
safety of a nuclear facility shall be ensured through several successive protective
mechanisms that are independent of each other. This principle covers both the
functional and structural safety of the facility, see chapter 3.2.3. When designing a
nuclear facility, possible operational disruptions and accidents must also be taken
into account. In addition, all fissile material is recorded and checked in
accordance with the international non-proliferation treaty in order to prevent
unauthorised persons from gaining access to the material.
18
Unger et al. (2021) The Impact of Climate Change on Nuclear Power. REPORT 2021:744. Energy research.
48 (62)
The operations are expected to result in low discharges of radioactive effluents
into the air and water. These discharges are not considered to lead to any
adverse effects, either in the local area or in another country. Radiological
environmental consequences resulting from the planned operations, i.e. radiation
doses to a representative member of the public, activity concentrations in the
environment and dose rates to representative organisms, will be calculated and
assessed.
In the event of an accident, the discharge of radioactive effluents under adverse
weather conditions may affect a large area. However, the application of extensive
preventive and mitigation measures means that no serious consequences are
expected to arise either in the immediate vicinity or in another country.
Radiological consequences in the surrounding area will be assessed and reported
on with a view to the potential for accidents.
7.13.2.2. Risks covered by the Environmental Code
Planned operations also carry a risk of small-scale incidents and accidents. This
could, for example, involve spills of chemicals, breakdowns of purification
equipment, etc. These risks linked to the Environmental Code will be analysed so
that adequate protective measures can be taken.
7.13.2.3. Seveso Act
A preliminary assessment indicates that the planned operations are covered by
the Seveso Act. The Seveso Act governs activities where large quantities of
specified hazardous substances or substances with specified hazardous
properties are present. The law has two levels of requirements. If the quantity
encountered exceeds the lower limit quantity, the operation is covered by the
lower requirement level. If the amount of hazardous substances present exceeds
the higher limit, the operation is subject to the higher level of requirements. It is
currently being investigated whether the applied for activity will constitute a higher
or lower level Seveso activity.
If the planned operations are covered by the higher level of requirements, a safety
report with associated appendices will be prepared and included in the application
in accordance with the Environmental Code. If the planned operations are
covered by the lower level of requirements, an action plan and risk analysis will
be developed and included in the application in accordance with the
Environmental Code.
The present consultation also constitutes a so-called Seveso consultation in
accordance with Chapter 6. Article 29(2) of the Environmental Code and below
describe risks and possible measures to prevent and limit possible serious
chemical accidents. The consultation also concerns factors in the environment
that may affect the safety of the operation in accordance with Article 13 of the
Seveso Act.
Risks and protective measures
During operations, substances with environmentally hazardous properties and
substances that are considered to pose a physical hazard under the Seveso
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legislation may be relevant. Examples of chemicals that may be handled in
quantities for which the Seveso Act becomes applicable are hydrazine, hydrogen
gas, sodium hypochlorite, acetylene, diesel and LPG. Based on the properties of
the hazardous substances and experiences from the Ringhals Nuclear Power
Plant19 the following risks may be relevant:
• Hydrazine is a chemical substance used to prevent corrosion in piping
systems. Hydrazine is corrosive, toxic, carcinogenic and very toxic to
aquatic organisms. Leakage of hydrazine can produce toxic fumes. The
extent to which spread can occur depends partly on prevailing weather
conditions and the size of the leak. If hydrazine spills and crystallizes, a
fire may occur upon contact with organic material.
Examples of protective measures that may be taken include necessary
embankments, continuous leakage monitoring, sprinkler systems and
daily patrols.
• Hydrogen is a flammable gas. The biggest consequences linked to the
handling of hydrogen gas are an explosion or a jet flame from an ignited
gas cylinder leading to damage to personnel and the facility.
Examples of protective measures to minimise the risks associated with
hydrogen handling include hydrogen detection and daily patrols.
• Risks associated with handling acetylene and LPG are primarily linked to
fire.
Examples of protective measures include fire alarms and access to fire
extinguishers.
• Leakage of diesel can lead to contamination of soil and water.
Examples of protective measures that may be taken include the
necessary embankment and access to a sump or equivalent for
collection.
• When sodium hypochlorite and hydrochloric acid are mixed, chlorine gas
is formed.
Separated embankments and well-functioning alarm routines are
examples of preventive measures.
In addition to those listed above, various protections are installed for conventional
risks such as fire, leakage, explosions and turbine failures.
For fire protection, the facility will be divided into fire cells. The facility will be
monitored with detectors connected to the central control room, which is staffed
24/7. Local fire services are available at the facility. Duplicate fire pumps will be
installed to supply fire water networks and sprinklers at locations that are
particularly important to protect from a reactor safety perspective.
19
Information about Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant taken from the Swedish Rescue Service West website. Visited on
20.10.2023 and 02.12.2024.
50 (62)
For leaks from transformers with large amounts of oil and for diesel tanks,
collection devices will be available in the form of embankments that will allow any
leakage to be collected.
To prevent the occurrence of explosions, explosive equipment will be placed in
areas with a low risk of ignition. Special procedures for working on these systems
will be in place.
To prevent turbine failures, the systems are built with high quality requirements.
Monitoring is extensive to identify errors early. The layout of the turbines is also
done so that if parts should come loose, this will not negatively affect the safety of
the facility.
Environmental factors
As part of the work of identifying and assessing risks, all Seveso operations must,
in accordance with Article 13 of the Seveso Act, investigate which environmental
factors may affect the safety of the operation. Environmental factors include both
man-made circumstances and natural factors. Special consideration must be
given to other Seveso activities in the vicinity. The nearest Seveso operation is
the adjacent Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. The risks at the Ringhals Nuclear
Power Plant are assessed to be of the same nature as for planned operations
since the same/similar hazardous substances are used there.
Other Seveso operations in the surrounding area consist of Södra Cell Värö and
the Lahall power plant, located approximately 5 km from the planned location. At
Södra Cell Värö, various hazardous substances are used for the production of
paper pulp. The risk inventory conducted for the operation shows that there is no
risk that an unwanted event within the factory area could have serious
consequences for personal safety or the environment outside the operation area.
Lahall’s power plant is a backup power plant for Svenska kraftnät and Ringhals
Nuclear Power Plant. The facility handles fuel in the form of diesel and the
greatest risk identified is leakage of fuel into the surrounding environment.
Otherwise, there are no Seveso operations or other industrial operations in the
immediate area that are considered to constitute relevant environmental factors.
Accidents linked to the transport of dangerous goods could constitute an
environmental factor. The nearest recommended route for dangerous goods is
route E6/E20 approximately 6 km east of the planned location. The West Coast
Railway extends approximately 4 km east of the planned location.
Natural environmental factors are described in more detail in section 7.12 and
include, for example, floods and lightning strikes. In addition, intentional damage
is also an environmental factor that will be taken into account.
8. Upcoming environmental impact assessment
8.1. Proposal for scoping
Scoping the content of the environmental impact assessment involves a focus on
essential issues and aspects that are to be impact assessed. The scope of an
environmental impact assessment should be adapted to the environmental impact
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and other effects that the activity entails. The environmental impact assessment is
therefore planned to focus on the subject areas of the natural environment,
landscape, waste, water intake, impact on groundwater, transport, noise,
discharges into water, and risk and safety. Land use, other area protection, raw
materials and chemical products, emissions to air, vulnerability to climate change
and external events will also be described and assessed. Consequences for
environmental objectives and environmental quality standards are described
throughout. The environmental impacts of the planned operations will be
compared with a zero alternative, which means that the planned operations are
not established on the site.
Geographically, the impact assessment will mainly be limited to the area directly
affected by the planned operations. However, geographical scoping for each
aspect may vary and is highlighted to the extent deemed necessary.
In terms of time, the environmental effects are assessed in the short, medium and
long term.
• The short term consists of the construction phase, which corresponds to
approximately 10 years.
• Medium term is up to between 25 and 30 years.
• Long term corresponds to the facility's lifespan until decommissioning.
8.2. Assessment criteria
The purpose of the environmental impact assessment is to report the
consequences of the planned operations on human health and the environment.
The environmental impact assessment is qualitative, but is mainly based on
certain frameworks that are referred to here as assessment bases. By applying
the assessment criteria, the environmental impact of the planned operations can
be put in relation to the value of each aspect.
In the planned environmental impact assessment, the concepts of impact,
consequence and measure will be used. Impact refers to the change in
environmental and health aspects that the planned operations entails compared
to a zero alternative. Consequence refers to the result of the impact and the
degree of impact. The impact and/or consequence can be both direct and indirect
and relate to the value of the aspect, but can also be related to national, regional
and local environmental objectives, environmental quality standards, as well as
national guideline values, limit values and current practices. To avoid or reduce
negative consequences, various measures ( protective measures ) are proposed
where necessary. The assessment is made by weighing the value of the aspect
and the scope of the planned action. The assessment is made in relation to the
zero alternative.
8.3. Suggested table of contents
Proposals for the design of the upcoming environmental impact assessment are
presented in the table of contents below, Table 4. The description in the table
below should be seen as an example of the description of the scoping that the
environmental impact assessment will contain and not as an absolute design. The
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table of contents is based on current provisions in Chapter 6 of the Environmental
Code and the Environmental Assessment Regulations (2017:966), the Nuclear
Activities Act and other provisions that are relevant to the current activity. In
addition to an environmental impact assessment, the application will consist of a
main submission including a report linked to the general rules of consideration, a
technical description, an action plan/safety report and a status report, all with
associated appendices.
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Table 4. Proposal for the table of contents of the environmental impact assessment.
Summary
A non-technical summary of the environmental impact assessment.
Introduction
Administrative information and background to the application.
The planned operations
Excerpt from the technical description.
Overall area description
Overall Overall description of environmental conditions.
Planning conditions Description of planning conditions with regard to the
master plan, detailed master plan and zoning plans.
Assessment regarding the operation's compatibility
with applicable zoning plans.
Localisation and options
Location Description of the location.
Projected current position / zero Description of the zero alternative.
alternative
Alternative localisation Alternative locations are reported.
Alternative design Reporting on alternative techniques and designs for the
planned operations. The presentation of alternative
technologies will focus on the design of necessary
facilities and measures that are relevant based on
environmental impact.
Reporting linked to the BREF documents Energy
Efficiency and Industrial Cooling Systems.
Method for Environmental Impact Assessment
Scoping Explanation of the scoping of the environmental impact
assessment.
Assessment criteria Review of the assessment criteria used in the
environmental impact assessment.
Basis for assessment
National and regional environmental Relevant goals are reported.
goals
Municipal environmental goals and Goals and other relevant documents are reported.
environmental programmes
Environmental quality standards Environmental quality standards for outdoor air and
surface water are reported.
Impact assessment
Land use and soil conditions Reporting of available information about the properties
and geotechnical conditions. Assessment of the impact
of operations.
Soil surveys and a status report pursuant to the
Industrial Emissions Directive will be included in the
application.
Landscape Description of what the landscape looks like today and
how this will change as a result of the planned
operations. Assessment of the impact of the activity on
the landscape. A landscape image analysis including
the impact of lighting will be included in the application.
Natural environment Description of affected natural environments in the
vicinity of the operation. Assessment of the impact of
the activity on these areas and assessment of whether
the activity may significantly affect the environment in
the nearby Natura 2000 site. A Natura 2000 study will
be included in the application. A natural value inventory
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and a number of species inventories, including bird and
bat inventories, will be included in the application.
Cultural heritage Description of affected cultural environments in the
vicinity of the operation. Assessment of the impact of
the activity on these.
A summary of the cultural environment inventory will be
presented in the application.
Outdoor activities and recreation Description of affected areas in the vicinity of the
operation. Assessment of the impact of the activity on
these.
Other area protections Description of other area protection in the vicinity of the
operation. Assessment of the impact of the activity on
these.
Raw materials and chemical Accounting for existing raw materials and chemical
products products and their handling. Assessment of the impact
of the handling on human health and the environment.
Energy use Reporting on the energy demand of the planned
operations for construction and operation, and
assessing energy demand from a resource
perspective.
Water use Reporting on the water demand of the planned
operations for construction and operation, and
assessing water demand from a resource perspective.
Surface water intake Reporting of surface water intake and the impact of the
operation on the aquatic environment. Cumulative
effects with respect to the Ringhals Nuclear Power
Plant’s intake of cooling water will be described. A
cooling water investigation, as well as a mapping of
marine environments with an associated assessment of
the impact on the marine environments, will be
included in the application.
Sediment sampling will be carried out.
Groundwater Reporting of the impact on groundwater.
A hydrogeological assessment will be included in the
application.
Emissions to water Reporting of emissions to water from planned
operations. Assessment of the impact of the discharge
on human health and the environment in terms of
impact on the recipient and environmental quality
standards.
Cumulative effects with regard to emissions from the
Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant will be described.
Waste Reporting on the types of waste generated in the
operation. Assessment of how waste management
affects human health and the environment.
Emissions to air Reporting of emissions into the air from planned
operations. Assessment of the impact of emissions on
environmental quality standards and human health and
the environment.
Cumulative effects with regard to emissions from the
Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant will be described.
Climate impact Reporting and assessment of planned operations’
climate-impacting emissions.
Transportation Reporting the number of transports that planned
operations generate during construction and operation,
comparison with traffic measurements on affected
transport routes and reporting the noise generated from
transports. Assessment of the impact of transport on
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human health and the environment. Cumulative effects
with respect to the Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant will
be described.
A transport investigation will be included in the
application.
Noise, light and vibrations Accounting and calculation of noise sources from the
planned operations. Assessment of the possibility of
including the Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency's guidelines (report 6538) for industrial noise
and general advice regarding noise from construction
sites (NFS 2004:15). Assessment of the impact of light
and vibrations on human health and the environment.
Cumulative effects with respect to the Ringhals Nuclear
Power Plant will be described. A noise investigation will
be included in the application.
Vulnerability to climate change and Reporting of natural environmental factors that may
external environmental events affect the planned operations. Assessment of the
impact of climate change and external events. A storm
water/flooding investigation and geotechnical
investigation will be included in the application.
Risk and safety Reporting of risks linked to the Environmental Code,
the Seveso Act and risks linked to the nuclear facility,
i.e. radiological consequences during operation and
accidents. Assessment of the risk profile of the
operation and its potential impact on human health and
the environment. Cumulative effects with respect to
Ringhals' operations will be described. A risk and
safety analysis linked to the Environmental Code and
the Seveso Act will be included in the application.
Overall assessment
Overall assessment of the environmental aspects listed above.
Reporting of expertise
Description of expertise under Article 15 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations.
References
56 (62)
The following investigations are planned to be produced/attached as supporting
documentation for the upcoming application. These investigations may be
supplemented by further investigations and surveys.
• Natural value inventory • Modelling water/cooling
water investigation
• Natura 2000 investigation
• Landscape image analysis
• Species inventories and
species protection studies • Noise investigation
• Marine inventories • Radiological consequences
resulting from normal
• Archaeological investigation operations and accidents
• Marine archaeological • Action plan or safety report
investigation including annexes (Seveso)
• Location investigation • Risk analyses
• Rock/geotechnical Environmental Code and
investigation Seveso
• Hydrogeological • Status report
investigation • Mass management plan
• Storm water investigation
9. Continued consultation
9.1. The consultation process
Vattenfall intends to conduct the consultation on the planned operations in several
stages. As a first and initial step, a consultation meeting was held with the County
Administrative Board of Halland County, Varberg Local Authority and the Swedish
Radiation Safety Authority. The purpose of the initial consultation meeting was to
discuss the delimitation between the review procedures under the Environmental
Code and the Nuclear Activities Act, the scope and definitions of the procedures,
the location of the planned operations and the continued consultation process.
Vattenfall now intends to continue the consultation by inviting a larger circle of
authorities, but also organisations, particularly those concerned, and the general
public to the consultation, for which this document forms the basis. The
authorities that are to be invited to the consultation are: County Administrative
Board of Halland County, County Administrative Board of Västra Götaland
County, Environmental Protection Agency, Radiation Safety Authority, Swedish
Marine and Water Authority, Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, Swedish
Transport Administration, Chemicals Inspectorate, Swedish Power Networks,
Swedish Energy Agency, Geological Survey of Sweden, Swedish Geotechnical
Institute, Swedish Maritime Administration, Swedish Police Authority, State
Administrative Board of the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SLU
(Institute for Aquatic Resources), National Debt Office, Swedish Board of
Housing, Building and Planning, Swedish Armed Forces, local safety committee,
Varberg Local Authority, Kungsbacka Local Authority, Mark Local Authority,
Falkenberg Local Authority, West Rescue Service and Greater Gothenburg
Rescue Service. More authorities may be invited to the consultation.
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The consultation will take place both in writing and through several consultation
meetings to be held during the first half of 2025.
Further consultation sessions are then intended to be held as the planning work
progresses, and the planned operations can be described more precisely.
Invitations to each consultation event will be made via advertising and direct
mailing to those particularly affected and to organisations that Vattenfall deems to
be affected or have an interest in the planned operations. Affected organisations
have been selected based on, among other things, experience from previous
permit procedures for nearby or similar operations. Those particularly affected are
currently assessed to consist of property owners, users, residents, business
owners, well owners and other rights holders (for example, holders of rights of
way and easements) within the area marked in Figure 14 below and adjacent to
route 850 up to route E6. This group is considered to be particularly affected by
the activities, including in the form of noise, air emissions, groundwater impact,
transportation, visual impact and more. The group also includes owners of
ongoing projects in the area that may be affected by the planned operations. In
addition, Södra Cell Värö, Lahall power plant and Ringhals AB (Ringhals Nuclear
Power Plant) are considered to be particularly affected based on the requirements
of the Seveso legislation linked to environmental factors. The direct mail will
contain a detailed description of why each recipient is considered to be
particularly affected.
Figure 14. Consultation group for those particularly affected (Lantmäteriet, Vattenfall).
Information about the planned operations is also available at
www.vattenfall.se/kraftdialog. This consultation document and information about
dates for consultation meetings, etc. will be published there.
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9.2. Handling of received comments
The results of the views expressed during the consultation will be taken into
account and compiled and attached to the upcoming permit application in a
consultation report.
9.3. Processing of personal data
Vattenfall AB with corporate registration number 556036-2138,
Evenemangsgatan 13, Solna and 08-739 50 00, is the data controller for all
personal data processing that takes place as part of this consultation and
upcoming reviews of permit applications for the construction and operation of new
nuclear power with associated activities on the Värö Peninsula in the Varberg
Local Authority Area (hereinafter collectively referred to as “permit procedures”).
9.3.1. How Vattenfall collects personal data
The personal data that Vattenfall processes is collected directly from you when
you provide information as part of the permit procedures. Personal data will also
be collected from courts, authorities (for example, the National Land Survey of
Sweden) and other public registers.
9.3.2. How Vattenfall processes personal data
Your personal data is processed in accordance with applicable data protection
legislation. This means, among other things, that Vattenfall needs to have a legal
basis to process personal data. Below is a description of (i) the types of personal
data that are processed, (ii) for what purposes, (iii) the legal basis on which the
processing is based and (iv) the storage period.
Categories of Purpose Legal basis Storage period
personal data
Contact information Vattenfall (i) Fulfilment of Personal data
(e.g. name, processes your Vattenfall's legal is saved for as long
address, email and personal data for obligations to as
phone number), the perform consent procedures
property purpose of fulfilling and document are ongoing.
designation Vattenfall’s consultation in
and others obligations to accordance with
personal data that perform and Environmental
you provide in document Code and Law
connection with (1984:3) on
consultations and
submitting nuclear
comments, to conduct
permit tests. operations.
alternatively as
(ii) Vattenfall’s
collected in
legitimate interest
accordance with
in conducting
the above, as part
permit procedures
of the
and responding to
the state tests comments
as part of the
permit procedures
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9.3.3. With whom does Vattenfall share personal data?
Your personal data will be shared with the competent court for relevant permit
procedures as well as with authorities involved in the permit reviews when
required by law, regulations, court or authority decision, all for the purpose of
fulfilling Vattenfall's legal obligations.
Your personal data will also be shared with other companies within the Vattenfall
Group and suppliers who perform services on Vattenfall's behalf in order for
Vattenfall to be able to fulfil Vattenfall's legal obligations, such as IT suppliers,
printers and external consultants, legal advisors, experts and specialists.
9.3.4. Your rights
You have several rights in relation to Vattenfall's processing of your personal
data. Information about your rights and how you can exercise them is described
below. Please note that your rights only apply to the extent that they apply under
applicable data protection legislation and are therefore limited in some cases.
9.3.5. Right of access
You have the right to know what personal data Vattenfall processes about you.
You also have the right to access such personal data through a so-called register
extract and request further information about its processing.
9.3.6. Right to rectification
You have the right to request that incorrect or incomplete personal data that
Vattenfall processes be corrected or supplemented.
9.3.7. Right to erasure
In certain cases, you have the right to have your personal data that Vattenfall
processes deleted. The right to erasure applies if processing the personal data is
no longer necessary for the purpose for which it was collected or if the personal
data is processed based on your consent and you choose to withdraw your
consent. However, Vattenfall will not delete your personal data if your personal
data is needed for Vattenfall to fulfil a legal obligation, if it is still necessary to
process it for the purpose for which it was collected, or if Vattenfall's interest in
continuing to process the data outweighs your interest in having it deleted.
9.3.8. Right to file a complaint
If you have objections or comments about Vattenfall's processing of your personal
data, you have the right to contact or file a complaint with the Swedish Data
Protection Authority.
9.3.9. The right to object
You have the right to object to the processing of your personal data based on a
balancing of interests. If Vattenfall cannot demonstrate that there are compelling
and legitimate reasons to continue processing the personal data, Vattenfall must
cease processing.
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9.3.10. Right of restriction
You have the opportunity to demand restriction of the processing of your personal
data provided that (i) you have objected to the processing and are awaiting
Vattenfall's assessment of whether Vattenfall's legitimate interest outweighs it, (ii)
you do not believe that the information that Vattenfall has about you is accurate,
(iii) the processing is unlawful but you object to the deletion of the personal data
or (iv) Vattenfall no longer needs the personal data for the purposes for which it
was collected and you need it to, for example, assert legal claims. By requesting
a restriction on processing, you have the opportunity, at least for a certain period
of time, to stop Vattenfall using the personal data for purposes other than, for
example, defending Vattenfall's legal claims.
9.3.11. Miscellaneous
Further information about Vattenfall's processing of your personal data, including
further information about your rights, can be found in Vattenfall’s privacy policy
https://group.vattenfall.com/se/site-assets/personuppgifter-hos-vattenfall.
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10. References
COWI (2015) Project Svea – Soil Investigations. Final Report on Feasibility Study.
Swedish Energy Agency (2024) The Energy Situation in Figures 2023.
https://www.energimyndigheten.se/energisystem-och-analys/nulaget-i-
energisystemet/energilaget/ Visited on 14.06.2024
County administrative boards. EBH Map. https://ext-
geoportal.lansstyrelsen.se/standard/?appid=ed0d3fde3cc9479f9688c2b2969fd38
c&bookmarkid=32343 Visited on 29.11.2023
Bill 2023/24:105 Energy Policy: A Long-Term Outlook. Bill 2023/24:105 Energy
Policy: A Long-Term Outlook (regeringen.se)
The National Board of Antiquities. Archaeological sites.
https://app.raa.se/open/fornsok/ Visited on 19.09.2023
Rescue Service West. Information about Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant. Ringhals
Nuclear Power Plant | Rescue Service West (rvast.se) Visited on 20.10.2023
SGI and others. Map Display Service for Guidance on Landslides, Landslips and
Erosion. https://gis.swedgeo.se/rasskrederosion Visited on 28.09.2023
SGU. Map Viewer. https://apps.sgu.se/kartvisare/ Visited on 28.09.2023 and
13.10.2023
SLU Species Data Bank. Artportalen . https://artportalen.se/ Visited on 19.09.2023
Unger et al. (2021) The Impact of Climate Change on Nuclear Power. REPORT
2021:744. Energy Research
Varberg Local Authority (2007) Nature Conservation Programme for Varberg
Local Authority, rev.
Varberg Local Authority (2010) Comprehensive Plan for Varberg Local Authority,
adopted by the City Council on 15.06.2010.
Varberg Local Authority (2017) Comprehensive Master Plan for the Northern
Coast, adopted by the City Council on 14.02.2017 .
Varberg Local Authority (2017) Cultural Environment Programme for Varberg
Local Authority
Vattenfall AB (2021) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Nordic Hydropower.
EPD® registration number: S-P-00088
Vattenfall AB (2022) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Wind Farms. EPD
Registration number: S-P-01435
Vattenfall AB (2022) EPD® of Electricity from Vattenfall’s Nuclear Power Plants.
EPD® Registration number: S-P 00923
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Background to the
Consultation on
Transboundary Impacts
Date: 2025-02-19
Contents
1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 4
2. Evaluation criteria ............................................................................... 5
3. Method ................................................................................................. 5
4. The results........................................................................................... 7
5. Discussion........................................................................................... 9
6. Conclusion .......................................................................................... 9
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Summary
Vattenfall is planning to build a new nuclear power plant on the Värö peninsula in
the Varberg local authority area. The nature of the planned operations is such
that, under the Espoo Convention, they require consultation with the neighbouring
countries concerned. This report provides Vattenfall with a basis for assessing
which countries could be affected and should therefore be notified. Vattenfall
takes the view that only a hypothetical accident involving a core meltdown could
give rise to consequences outside Sweden’s borders. The report is therefore
based on such a hypothetical accident, allowing an assessment of the
consultation group to be made on the basis of a hypothetical worst-case scenario.
The results of the calculations show that radiation doses are high in the
immediate area but decrease rapidly with increasing distance. The lifetime dose
for a one-year-old child and adult on Läsö, which is the nearest foreign landmass
located some 50 km west of the Värö Peninsula, is below 10 mSv. At distances
greater than 250 km from the Värö Peninsula, no lifetime doses in any age group
will exceed 1 mSv. By comparison, natural background radiation, according to the
Swedish Radiation Safety Authority, gives residents in Sweden a dose of 1–2
mSv annually.
In neighbouring countries, only people living in Denmark and the coastal areas of
southern Norway receive lifetime doses above the natural annual background
radiation as a result of the radiological accident.
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1. Introduction
Vattenfall is planning to build a new nuclear power plant on the Värö peninsula in
the Varberg local authority area. The nature of the planned operations is such
that, under the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a
Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention), they require consultation with the
neighbouring countries concerned. The Swedish Environmental Protection
Agency is coordinating the Espoo consultation and, with this report, Vattenfall has
provided a basis to enable an assessment of which countries could be affected
and should therefore be notified. Vattenfall takes the view that only a hypothetical
accident involving a core meltdown could give rise to consequences outside
Sweden’s borders. The report is therefore based on such a hypothetical accident,
allowing an assessment of the consultation group to be made on the basis of a
hypothetical worst-case scenario.
The land area considered is within a radius of up to 800 km from the site in
question on the Värö Peninsula, please see Figure 1.
Figure 1. The land area around the site in question on the Värö Peninsula out to a radius of 800 km.
The nearest foreign land area is the Danish island of Läsö, located about 50 km
west of the Värö Peninsula, please see Figure 2. Since the concentration of
airborne and ground-based activities will be lower further away from the release
point of a nuclear accident, other parts of Denmark and other neighbouring
countries will be less affected than Läsö.
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Figure 2. The map shows the distance, as the crow flies, between the Värö Peninsula and the Danish island of Läsö,
taken from Google Maps. The distance between Värö Peninsula and Läsö is approximately 50 km.
The design of the proposed nuclear power plant has not been fully defined, so the
calculations in this report are based on a conservative, generic source term 1.
Dispersion conditions and exposure data have been selected as far as possible in
relation to the Nordic circumstances. The radiation dose caused by a radioactive
release is different for children and adults because the exposure pathways are
different for different age categories. For example, food intake differs between
these groups. To cover the variations, this report presents results for one-year-old
children and adults.
2. Evaluation criteria
Transboundary consequences of a radiological accident have not been assessed
against any dose constraints or dose limits. Instead, this report makes a
comparison with natural background radiation which, according to the Swedish
Radiation Safety Authority, gives residents in Sweden an annual dose of 1–2
mSv. The Danish Health Authority and the Norwegian Directorate For Radiation
Protection and Nuclear Safety set values for natural background radiation at the
same level as the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority.
3. Method
The source term assumed to be dispersed in the surroundings as a result of the
accident is presented in Table 1. It has been selected to cover emissions from a
hypothetical accident involving a core meltdown in a light-water nuclear reactor. In
practice, such a release means that the reactor cooling system is not working and
all the cooling water has boiled away, causing the core to be exposed and melt.
The source term is based on a release of 100 TBq Cs-137, which currently
applies as a release requirement for existing nuclear power in Sweden in the
event of highly unlikely events and situations. Emission requirements for new
nuclear reactors are likely to be more stringent than this, so this should be
regarded as a conservative source term covering both large and small new
reactors. Other nuclides in the source term are related to the release of caesium.
1
Source term is an accepted concept in the nuclear industry and refers to the size and composition of the release in
a nuclear accident.
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The release time is 24 hours and the release height is 20 metres. The analysis
assumes that the release can occur on any day of the year, taking into account
the weather situation on that day, i.e. 365 different weather situations are
considered.
Radiation doses have been calculated for people at a distance of 1–800 km from
the point of release.
Table 1. Source term assumed to be released into the environment in the event of a hypothetical accident involving a
core meltdown in a nuclear power reactor on the Värö Peninsula.
Nuclide Activity [Bq] Nuclide Activity [Bq]
Kr-87 2.8E+15 Te-132 4.5E+14
Kr-88 8.7E+15 Cs-134 1.8E+14
Xe-133 1.2E+17 Cs-137 1.0E+14
Xe-135 1.6E+16 Sr-90 1.2E+13
I-131 1.0E+15 Zr-95 1.0E+13
I-132 2.3E+14 Ba-140 2.4E+14
I-133 1.5E+15 La-140 7.5E+13
I-134 1.3E+14 Ce-144 8.2E+12
I-135 7.5E+14 Pu-238 1.5E+10
Mo-99 9.4E+12 Pu-241 8.7E+11
Ru-103 8.7E+12 Cm-242 2.6E+11
Ru-105 1.6E+12 Cm-244 1.8E+10
Sb-127 2.9E+13
The dose calculations have been carried out using the JRODOS tool, developed
by the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In the dispersion calculation, the
radioactive substances are assumed to be released as sequential puffs and, for
each time step, the transport, diffusion and deposition of radionuclides on the
ground has been modelled taking into account local meteorological and
topographical data.
The following exposure routes have been included:
- The short-term perspective
o External dose when the radioactive plume passes (cloud dose)
o External dose from radioactive substances deposited on the
ground (ground dose)
o Internal dose from inhalation of radioactive substances in the
plume (inhalation dose)
o External dose due to skin contamination
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- The long-term perspective
o External dose from radioactive substances deposited on the
ground (ground dose)
o Internal dose from inhalation of radioactive material swirled up
from the ground (inhalation dose)
o Internal dose from consumption of contaminated food
JRODOS can define how much the population in different geographical areas
consumes different foods. As assumptions on land use and intake affect
calculation results, the modelled area has been divided into different areas with
varying food intake based on what is grown and what is statistically consumed in
these areas. Depending on the area over which the radioactive plume travels,
there will be different consequences via the exposure route of food intake, even if
these areas are the same distance from the release point and the weather
conditions in the areas would be similar. The results presented in Chapter 4 are
based on the maximum dose at each distance for each of the 365 weather
situations.
4. The results
The impact of the radiological release in neighbouring countries has been
described in terms of effective dose to an individual. The effective dose for one-
year-old children and adults is presented in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The doses are
high in the immediate area but decrease rapidly with increasing distance. At Läsö,
about 50 km west of the Värö Peninsula, the lifetime dose2 for a one-year-old
child and adult is less than 10 mSv. The dose after seven days’ exposure is less
than 1 mSv for an adult and less than 3 mSv for a one-year-old child at Läsö.
At distances further than 250 km from the Värö Peninsula, lifetime doses will be
less than 1 mSv, i.e. less than the approximate level of annual dose from natural
background radiation. As can be seen from the distances shown in Figure 1, only
residents of Denmark and the outer part of the south-east coast of Norway may
receive lifetime doses above the annual natural background radiation following
the hypothetical meltdown accident described in this report.
2
The lifetime dose describes the radiological impact on an individual from the time of the accident and for the rest of
their life. For a one-year-old child, this period is 70 years after the accident and for an adult, it is 50 years after the
accident.
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1-årigt barn One-year-old child
Livstid (70 år) Lifespan (70 years)
7 dygn 7 days
Effektiv dos (mSv) Effective dose (mSv)
Avstånd (km) Distance (km)
Figure 3. Effective dose to a one-year-old child as a function of distance from the release. Dashed vertical line
indicates the distance to Läsö (50 km).
Dos till vuxen Dose to an adult
Livstid (50 år) Lifespan (50 years)
7 dygn 7 days
Effektiv dos (mSv) Effective dose (mSv)
Avstånd (km) Distance (km)
Figure 4. Effective dose to adults as a function of distance from the release. Dashed vertical line indicates the
distance to Läsö (50 km).
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5. Discussion
The results presented in this report show that after a hypothetical nuclear
accident with a core meltdown on the Värö Peninsula, the doses to people in
neighbouring countries are relatively low. Compared to the dose from natural
background radiation of 1–2 mSv that a person living in Sweden receives each
year, the impact of the radiological accident is small. The calculations have
consistently been made using conservative approaches, and it is reasonable to
believe that the impacts in reality would be even lower. Some of the assumptions
that drive the results in a conservative direction are presented below:
• For each distance evaluated, the geographical point giving the highest
dose has always been selected. This means that, although this point is in
the centre of the North Sea, it has been included in the evaluation.
• No crediting of protective measures3 has been done, meaning that people
evaluated have been assumed to be outdoors every second for a whole
year. The considerations of sheltering for parts of the day and restrictions
on food intake would further reduce the consequences.
• It has been assumed that all food eaten comes from the place where the
evaluated people live. Importing food from non-contaminated sites would
further reduce the impact.
6. Conclusion
The radiological impact on residents in neighbouring countries in the event of a
release from a hypothetical accident involving a core meltdown at a proposed
nuclear power plant on the Värö Peninsula has been evaluated. Radiation doses
to a one-year-old and an adult have been calculated for distances out to 800 km
from the release point. Calculated lifetime doses at 50 km, a distance
corresponding to the nearest inhabited foreign landmass (Danish Läsö), are less
than 10 mSv for both a one-year-old and an adult. At distances greater than 250
km from the release point, lifetime doses are less than 1 mSv, which is
approximately equivalent to the normal annual background dose to the general
public in Sweden.
3
Protective measures include sheltering, taking iodine tablets, food restrictions, etc.
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