TVO Nuclear Services to Advise Estonia’s Fermi Energia on SMR Project Development
On 17 February 2026, TVO Nuclear Services (TVONS), a subsidiary of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (ENS Corporate Member), announced a framework agreement with Fermi Energia, under which TVONS will act as a consultant for the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project currently underway in Estonia.
Fermi Energia is currently developing the country’s first nuclear power plant, aiming to deliver reliable, low-carbon electricity and improve long-term security of supply in the Baltic region.
Through this agreement, TVONS will bring operational and new-build experience to the Estonian programme, drawing especially on work carried out at Finland’s Olkiluoto nuclear power plant. This advisory role is therefore intended to support a first-of-a-kind programme in Estonia, where requirements, processes, and organisational capabilities must be established alongside technology and site development.
In practice, TVONS’ advisory support will cover key phases from project initiation and licensing preparations to the evaluation of delivery and construction models, as well as commissioning and operational readiness.
“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.”
said Ari Leppänen, Managing Director of TVO Nuclear Services.
Read the full TVO Press Release.
Estonia’s energy mix has historically relied heavily on oil shale, resulting in a very high carbon intensity. In early 2021, the government set objectives to phase out electricity production from oil shale by 2035 and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, while considering nuclear energy as one of the key low-carbon solutions. In June 2024, the Estonian Parliament adopted a resolution supporting the introduction of nuclear energy in the country.
Moreover, recent opinion polls show that public acceptance of nuclear energy in the country has been increasing. More than 70% of respondents support or tend to support continuing preparations for a new generation of nuclear power plants, the highest level since 2019.
In this context, Fermi Energia had already selected GE Hitachi (ENS Corporate Member) BWRX-300 SMR technology, with the first unit expected to become operational by the second half of 2035.
