BERKELEY, CA – Deep Isolation welcomes the vote this week by the Estonian Parliament, the Riigikogu, in which a three-fifths majority passed a Resolution supporting the adoption of nuclear energy in Estonia. Fermi Energia is driving this effort forward by investing to support energy security and a net-zero energy market in Estonia through the development of a Small Modular Reactor.
Rod Baltzer, CEO of Deep Isolation, said, “New nuclear energy is vital to provide the clean, scalable foundation of our net-zero future. I welcome the recognition of this by the Estonian Parliament. My congratulations go to the Estonian Nuclear Energy Working Group, whose evidence-driven analysis supported this decision, and to our colleagues at Fermi Energia, whose innovation and entrepreneurship are enabling Estonia’s nuclear future. I also welcome the leadership that Estonia is showing by focusing on the need to establish a solution for safe, scalable disposal of spent nuclear fuel right at the outset of the country’s nuclear journey.”
Chris Parker, Managing Director of Deep Isolation’s European business, added, “Deep Isolation is proud to support Fermi Energia as it takes forward the clear wishes of the Estonian Parliament. In February this year, Fermi Energia announced that it has selected Deep Isolation’s technology as its solution for storage and disposal of SMR spent fuel, and we look forward to working with them and stakeholders across Estonia to bring this to fruition.”
“Next steps for Fermi Energia include submitting an application for National Designated Spatial Planning (including Environmental Impact Assessment) for 2-3 sites within the next 4 months. During this process, the most suitable site for the 2-unit BWRX-300 plant will be officially selected, and the layout and conditions for the project will be established. The National Designated Spatial Planning (NDSP) process is expected to continue until 2028. By that time, Fermi Energia aims to be prepared to apply for a construction license in Estonia, drawing upon the successful experiences with the BWRX-300 in Darlington and Polish Stawy Monowskie FOAK projects,” explains Kalev Kallemets (PhD), Fermi Energia CEO.
On 7 February 2024, Deep Isolation and Fermi Energia announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly drive forward the development of SMRs in Estonia supported by a safe and scalable solution for the resulting spent fuel, based on use of Deep Isolation’s Universal Canister System (UCS) and patented directional drilling solution for deep borehole disposal for isolation and management of spent fuel.
Media Contact:
Sophie McCallum, Chief of Staff
media@deepisolation.com
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Berkeley, CA 94704
www.deepisolation.com
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About Deep Isolation:
Deep Isolation is a leading global innovator in nuclear waste storage and disposal solutions. Driven by a passion for environmental stewardship and scientific ingenuity, the company’s patented solution of advanced nuclear technologies enables global delivery through its partnerships with industry leaders as well as flexible IP licensing options.
About Fermi Energia:
Fermi Energia is investing to support energy security and a net-zero energy market in Estonia through development of a Small Modular Reactor. Since 2019, Fermi Energia has conducted a series of research and preliminary works, with the aim to start energy production in 2035. These include pre-implementation studies with Deep Isolation, to confirm the compatibility of Deep Isolation’s technology with Estonia’s geology and to evaluate the economics of deploying their technology in the context of either an open or closed fuel cycle.
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