The Nuclear Power Plant in Forsmark, Sweden Drives Economic Success and Community Support

Forsmark’s Nuclear Power Plant Creates Jobs and Economic Boom in the Region

(IN BRIEF) The community of Forsmark, Sweden, is experiencing economic prosperity and low unemployment, thanks in part to the local nuclear power plant. Residents have shown long-standing support for the plant, which has contributed significantly to the local economy and job market. The positive attitude towards the plant has been attributed to transparency, community engagement, and the plant’s role as a major employer. Forsmark has become a thriving area, attracting large companies and authorities. Additionally, Vattenfall College in Forsmark offers unique technology courses that draw students from across the country, further boosting the local economy. The recent approval for a nuclear fuel repository in Forsmark also reflects the high acceptance of nuclear energy in the community.

(PRESS RELEASE) FORSMARK, Sweden, 28-Jun-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — The success of the former milling community of Forsmark on Sweden’s east coast is owed in part to its local nuclear power plant, which enjoys strong support from residents. The plant’s positive impact on the local economy and the community’s long-standing acceptance have contributed to the region’s prosperity.

The Värdshus restaurant in Forsmark bustles with activity as Susanne Falk, its owner, reflects on the vital role the nuclear power plant plays in their business. Falk, who took over the establishment in the late 1990s, acknowledges that around 75 percent of their clientele is connected to the power plant in some way. Without the plant, their ability to operate seven days a week would be severely hampered.

The Falk family’s connection to the area extends beyond their restaurant. Susanne, having moved to Forsmark as a child when her father worked at Vattenfall’s nuclear power plant, witnessed the plant’s construction amidst national debates. However, the local attitude remained predominantly positive, with demonstrations against nuclear power being more prevalent in other parts of Sweden.

Margareta Widén-Berggren, involved in the establishment of the power plant for three decades and serving as a municipal councillor in Östhammar, attests to the enduring acceptance of the plant in the local community. She notes that the power plant has been a vital lifeline for the town, influencing the lives of its residents either through direct employment or involvement in the plant’s construction.

The power plant’s positive influence extends beyond job creation. Forsmark and the surrounding area, located northeast of Uppsala and north of Stockholm, have experienced low unemployment rates and attracted numerous large companies and authorities. Fredrik Jansson, Principal of Vattenfall College in Forsmark, highlights the power plant’s significant contribution to the local economy and emphasizes Vattenfall’s support for the community through sponsorships and educational opportunities.

Vattenfall College, renowned for its unique technology courses specializing in areas such as reactor technology, attracts students from across the country who recognize the promising job prospects associated with the nuclear power industry. This influx of students generates income and bolsters the municipality’s growth.

A key factor in the community’s positive attitude towards the power plant is the commitment to transparency and engagement. Margareta Widén-Berggren emphasizes that residents have consistently felt well-informed and involved in the plant’s plans. Openness, cooperation, and public meetings have fostered a sense of security among those living near the plant.

The decision to locate a nuclear fuel repository in Forsmark, granted to the Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Company (SKB) in late 2022, came as no surprise to local stakeholders. The high level of acceptance in the community made Forsmark an ideal location for the repository.

Forsmark’s nuclear power plant, commissioned between 1980 and 1985, continues to enjoy strong public support. A recent survey conducted by Novus in 2022 revealed that 84 percent of residents in Östhammar municipality expressed positivity toward the government-approved plans for the nuclear fuel final repository in Forsmark.

Media contacts:

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press@vattenfall.com

SOURCE: Vattenfall AB