The Estonian energy landscape has undergone dramatic changes. Traditional oil shale-based electricity generation has increasingly been abandoned, and the share of renewable energy sources is growing. But while the rapid growth of renewable energy brings significant advantages – environmental friendliness, cleanliness and sustainability – the question arises whether these sources can always ensure stable and reliable electricity production, especially during the winter peak season. This is where the potential of nuclear energy, which has recently been at the center of debate, comes into play. We, at Melior Project, closely monitor all new developments in energy policy and invite you to delve deeper into the topic: could nuclear energy be a necessary solution for Estonia or a threat that should be avoided?
The potential of nuclear energy and its advantages
Nuclear energy offers several attractive advantages that are particularly important in the Estonian context. One of the main advantages is stability – nuclear plants produce electricity around the clock and their production costs are stable and low, as fuel (uranium) only accounts for a small part of the costs. When compared to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, the reliability of nuclear energy is a clear plus. Renewable energy production is often dependent on weather conditions – cloudy days, calm periods or night-time conditions can produce fluctuations that require additional backup solutions. In the case of nuclear energy, production can be planned and regulated according to the needs of the system, providing a stable baseload of energy that ensures security of supply even in difficult times.
In addition to stability, nuclear energy has a very low environmental impact – minimal CO₂ is emitted during production and there are practically no other pollutants. If we look at the experiences of Europe and the Nordic countries, we see that nuclear power plants have helped reduce the carbon footprint and have provided energy that is comparable to the purity of renewable energy. This is especially important, considering that Estonia has already been working on reducing oil shale and increasing the share of renewable energy, but the stability and resilience of the system are still under question.
In the market and in political discourse – a necessity or a threat?
As the structure of energy sources in Estonia is rapidly changing, the question arises of how to ensure a sustainable and stable electricity supply. On the one hand, nuclear energy is able to provide a reliable baseload energy supply, which reduces dependence on imports and ensures system stability. For example, the experiences of Finland and Sweden show that nuclear power plants can strengthen the country's energy security and offer a long-term perspective that exceeds the fluctuations of traditional renewable energy solutions. These countries have shown that despite technological and economic difficulties, nuclear energy can be strategically important, especially if the goal is to achieve a low carbon footprint and high production reliability.
On the other hand, the introduction of nuclear energy also entails significant risks and dangers. The possibility of a nuclear accident – although modern reactors are extremely safe – always arouses fear among the public. Historical examples such as Chernobyl and Fukushima remind us that even a small mistake can cause extensive damage. The complexity of radioactive waste management cannot be ignored, which requires a long-term and sustainable solution. In addition, nuclear energy projects are capital-intensive and technically complex – it is difficult for a small country to manage the risk and return on investment, especially when the energy market is volatile and political conditions can change.
Technological and economic aspects – a look into the future
In the future, the development of nuclear energy in Estonia can take several directions. Technological innovations, such as the introduction of small modular reactors (SMRs), offer a more modular and flexible approach. SMRs allow the construction of a plant in stages, reducing the risk of a large investment and allowing learning from the first experiences before subsequent stages. In addition, emerging technologies, such as digital twins and AI-based reactor management, have the potential to further improve safety and efficiency.
Economically, nuclear energy can offer a competitive solution if the initial investments pay off and the reactors operate with high efficiency. The variable fixed costs of nuclear plants are low and production costs stabilize in the long term. But this all depends on strict regulations and political stability. Estonia also needs to develop flexible security of supply strategies – using several smaller reactors where possible to spread the risk and ensure that the system does not end up in one major failure point.
Social and regulatory challenges
The introduction of nuclear energy is always a socially sensitive issue. Estonian public opinion has changed over time – earlier skepticism has been increasingly replaced by awareness and climate consciousness. However, the “Not In My Backyard” effect and the need to involve the public in the decision-making process still need to be taken into account. Creating regulatory frameworks, specifying safety requirements and establishing an independent supervisory authority are critical steps that need to be prepared now to ensure the safety and reliability of nuclear power plants. It is also important that political consensus is maintained – nuclear projects are long-term and require consistent support over several election cycles.
A provocative question – Necessity or danger?
We, at Melior Projekt, are closely monitoring all these developments and using our long-term experience to offer innovative and safe solutions in the design of electrical installations. But when we look at the bigger picture, the question remains: is nuclear energy a necessary step for Estonia to ensure energy security and reduce dependence on imports, or is it a threat that entails too high a risk that is not worth taking? Our opinion is that a balance must be found in the energy economy of the future – between digital and renewable energy solutions, space must also be given to stable baseload energy, which ensures that even in difficult moments the electricity supply remains stable.
We invite you to think.
We invite you, our readers and customers, to join the discussion: do you think nuclear energy could be a strategic solution for Estonia's energy security, or is it a technology that should be preferred over renewable energy and other innovative solutions?