Can Sweden Develop Nuclear Powered Data Centres by 2030?

As data centres become more and more power hungry to meet soaring demand and AI workloads, there is concurrent pressure to source energy sustainably – meeting regulatory requirements and ESG goals along the way. 

One of the emerging solutions to this dual-layered dynamic is nuclear powered data centres.

Three Swedish companies: Blykalla, evroc and Studsvik have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to team up and explore the ongoing development of Sweden’s first nuclear-powered data centre at Studsvik’s licensed nuclear site in Nyköping.

The site was initially used as a research reactor, but that all changed in 2005 when it closed due to economic reasons – making the site attractive for nuclear development two decades later, due to its unique infrastructure which supports nuclear activities. 

Everyone has a part to play  

These companies all bring unique strengths to the MoU, which combine technology and expertise to accelerate and support the dissemination of nuclear-powered data centres.

Studsvik operates a licensed nuclear site but what do Blykall and evroc do? 

• On the hardware front, Blykalla is an advanced nuclear developer which provides lead-cooled nuclear reactors to ensure sustainable, safe and inexpensive energy. 
• When it comes to the tech stack, evroc is building the AI infrastructure and extensive cloud to help power Europe’s digital future.

With the agreement between the companies, the vision is to position Sweden as a leader for nuclear powered data centres in Europe. 

Consequently, the Nyköping site is the ideal breeding ground for a nuclear site and Studsvik are particularly interested in adapting the site to include new reactor types including SMRs (Small Modular Reactors). 

Karl Thedéen, CEO of nuclear technical services provider Studsvik says: “Studsvik’s provides a unique platform of site infrastructure and unique competence to combine advanced nuclear with next-generation industry. This MoU is an important step in evaluating how such synergies can be realised in Sweden.”

The introduction of SMRs to the Swedish site will be a unique development, with the majority of SMR data centre deals emerging in the US.

“This collaboration is an opportunity for Sweden to be a leader in digital infrastructure. lt allows us to demonstrate how SMRs can provide the stable, fossil-free energy that is required for the AI revolution," says Jacob Stedman, CEO of Blykalla.

“Studsvik’s site and evroc’s ambitions offer the right conditions for a groundbreaking project.”

Creating a collaborative goal for nuclear powered data centres

Working together with the MoU, Studsvik, Blykalla and evroc are looking to determine if it is possible to technically and commercially build data centres and SMRs together at the licensed Studsvik site. This includes speaking with the residents of the local towns and landowners and investigating what a commercial power purchase agreement would look like.

Mattias Åström, Founder and CEO of evroc says: “The ever-growing demand for AI underscores the urgent need to rapidly deploy massive hypserscale AI infrastructure. Through our collaboration with Blykalla and Studsvik, we are exploring a model where Sweden can lead in building climate-neutral digital infrastructure.”