Nuclear power

There are six nuclear reactors in operation in Sweden, distributed between the three nuclear power plants. The respective owners plan to operate these plants until circa 2040. The two reactors at the Barsebäck NPP were shut down in 1999 and 2005, respectively. These reactors are now undergoing decommissioning, together with Oskarshamn’s units 1 and 2, in addition to the Ågesta plant. Apart from the reactors in operation or undergoing decommissioning, there are a number of other nuclear installations in Sweden. They are used to manufacture nuclear fuel and store spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste.

Licensees of nuclear facilities always bear the full responsibility for facility safety and for protecting workers and the surroundings from detriment due to ionising radiation. These safety requirements also apply during shutdown and decommissioning of a facility.

The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority serves as the Government’s expert authority in the fields of nuclear power safety and radiological (radiation) protection. The role of the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority is to impose requirements to ensure nuclear safety and radiation protection, as well as to conduct follow-ups and inspections to ensure that the entities operating, shutting down or decommissioning nuclear facilities fulfil all applicable requirements and take their responsibility for radiation safety.

Convention on Nuclear Safety

The Swedish Radiation Safety Authority has the government assignment of compiling a triennial national report on Sweden’s compliance with the obligations of the Convention on Nuclear Safety.

• Convention on Nuclear Safety