Updated 06:38 | Published at 06:38
One of the government’s major projects is to create new nuclear power, and according to the promise, construction will begin already during this mandate period.
But the state budget for 2024 lacks new additions to research into new nuclear power and it is unclear whether energy companies will take advantage of the government’s new moves for more reactors.
– We are doing a lot of things to speed up nuclear power going forward, but it takes time because there are big investments and big issues, says Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson (M).
One of Tidöpartierna’s major projects is the energy issue, where nuclear power is the main issue.
The content of the Tidö agreement is that more nuclear reactors are to be built, and Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson has previously promised that the first sod for new nuclear power will be taken before the end of the mandate, in 2026.
In last year’s budget, the Tidö parties chose to allocate extra resources to research on nuclear power; SEK 50 million for 2023 and SEK 100 million each for the years 2024 and 2025.
But new additions to nuclear power research are missing in the government’s budget for 2024.
Several budget investments in nuclear power will not be extended
Supplements for preparations for new nuclear power have also previously been included in the state budget, totaling SEK 380 million until 2025 so that authorities can invest in the area. But those investments are not being extended through the government’s new budget either.
According to Finance Minister Elisabeth Svantesson, it is other parts that are prioritized to try to get new nuclear power.
– In general, we put money and commissions on authorities to work faster with environmental permit tests. But we also work actively at the Ministry of Finance with Vattenfall. We are doing a lot of things to speed up nuclear power going forward, but it takes time because there are big investments and big questions, says Elisabeth Svantesson.
It was only after the election, in March this year, that Elisabeth Svantesson promised that the construction of new nuclear power would start before the mandate period is over. The statement was made at the party’s conference Sverigemötet in Karlstad last winter.
Credit guarantees on the way
The government has previously also promised that the state will take on part of the risk when companies want to invest in new nuclear reactors. 400 billion in so-called credit guarantees will get more companies interested in building reactors in Sweden.
The credit guarantees are to be similar to those introduced by the red-green government for so-called green investments. However, those guarantees have only been used on one occasion.
In the moderate-led government’s budget, there is a credit line for 400 billion kroner for nuclear power for 2024. So it remains to be seen whether these will be used. Should the projects fail and credits fall, it is also the taxpayers who have to take the hit.
– As I said before the election, this will not go quickly. But we are on the right track and we are taking big steps forward, says Elisabeth Svantesson.
Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokhtari (L) has long singled out nuclear power as an answer to the climate challenges and as a supporting part of the government’s climate policy.
– The Radiation Safety Authority is in my basket. I make sure that there are good means for them to take responsibility for the safety issues when it comes to nuclear power. I am also focusing on cleaning up the environmental code, which states that you may not build nuclear power plants in new locations, says the prime minister.
– What concerns incentives for nuclear power in other areas than in my own portfolio, those ministers are responsible for.