TVO Nuclear Services and Estonia’s Fermi Energia sign agreement on SMR project advisory services
TVO Nuclear Services (TVONS) and the Estonian company Fermi Energia have signed a framework agreement under which TVONS will act as an advisor in the small modular reactor (SMR) project currently underway. Fermi Energia is developing Estonia’s first nuclear power plant.
The photo shows TVO’s CEO Ari Leppänen and Fermi Energia board member Henri Ormus, along with the signed agreement.
Fermi Energia aims to build a small modular reactor in Estonia to provide reliable and emission-free electricity far into the future. This is the first nuclear power project in the country’s history.
TVONS, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), the operator of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, will bring long-standing and diverse expertise from Olkiluoto to the neighbouring country’s project. TVO has produced electricity with nuclear power since 1978 and has extensive experience in the planning and management of new nuclear facility projects—both from the perspective of the client and the future plant operator.
In the Estonian project, TVONS’ expertise covers key project phases, from project initiation and licensing preparations to the evaluation of delivery models as well as support for commissioning and operational readiness.
In its advisory role, TVONS utilises TVO’s broad experience from its own projects, including the recently completed Olkiluoto 3 unit, which began regular electricity production in 2023. TVONS is also supported by several international assignments in recent years, which have strengthened the company’s understanding of and competence in global best practices.
The aim of the collaboration is to ensure that Fermi Energia’s SMR project progresses in line with international requirements, good industry practices, and safety standards.
- We are pleased to support Fermi Energia in the development of their SMR project. TVONS’ task is to bring experience and practical solutions that contribute to the safe and efficient delivery of the project, says Ari Leppänen, Managing Director of TVO Nuclear Services.
From Fermi Energia’s perspective, leveraging Finnish nuclear expertise is an important element in the project’s advancement. The TVO Group’s experience from major nuclear projects, plant operation, and its strong safety culture provide a solid foundation for the design and implementation of Estonia’s SMR facility.
The companies share a common goal of strengthening the role of nuclear energy as part of clean energy production in the Baltic region and improving long-term security of supply.
- We have launched the next assignment under the collaboration agreement, and we will provide updates on the project’s progress at appropriate stages, says Henri Ormus, Member of the Board of Fermi Energia.
