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Why Swedish Nuclear Power Plants Are Less Affected by European Heatwaves

This summer, persistent high temperatures across much of Europe forced some nuclear power plants to reduce output or even temporarily shut down due to rising cooling water temperatures and falling river levels. In comparison, Sweden's Vattenfall-operated nuclear plants at Forsmark and Ringhals were less affected, mainly because both facilities are located in coastal areas and use seawater for cooling. Many nuclear plants in continental Europe rely on river water as their cooling source. During heatwaves, river levels and water temperatures can change rapidly, easily impacting cooling efficiency. Anna Collin, Communications Officer at Ringhals, stated that Swedish nuclear plants use seawater cooling, which differs in operating conditions from many...

2026-08-26

Vattenfall plans to invest SEK 10 billion in Swedish nuclear maintenance and uprating over five years

European energy company Vattenfall plans to invest SEK 165 billion by 2030, focusing on maintenance and development of existing power assets, new fossil-free power generation projects, and grid modernization. Sweden is the core market for this investment round, with approximately SEK 10 billion allocated to nuclear maintenance and power uprating. Vattenfall currently operates five nuclear reactors in Sweden, including two at Ringhals Nuclear Power Plant and three at Forsmark Nuclear Power Plant. These units have been in operation for approximately 40 years. The company stated that routine inspections lasting several weeks are conducted annually on these units to ensure safe and stable operation of the nuclear power plants and to fulfill power generation targets as planned.

2026-08-19