"We have taken deliberate steps towards nuclear energy and acquired best practices from experts from experienced nuclear countries. This experience is valuable, because in order to ensure safety and security, it is essential to follow the highest standards and expand knowledge in the field. With this law, the Estonian state will not build a nuclear power plant, but will create a regulatory opportunity for the construction of a nuclear power plant in Estonia. It will then be up to investors to decide whether it is worth it," says Andres Sutt, Minister of Energy and the Environment of the Republic of Estonia.
Building a nuclear power plant in Estonia is one of the options for ensuring the necessary controllable power for Estonia. Plants of a suitable size for Estonia are under construction and development in countries whose technology we can use, and a possible nuclear power plant could be built in Estonia by 2035+.
The lack of a separate nuclear law in Estonia has been an obstacle to the potential development of nuclear energy. Current legislation, primarily the Radiation Act, regulates only existing radiation activities and does not cover the lifecycle of nuclear facilities from planning to final waste disposal. The new law brings the requirements of the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) into Estonian law and ensures that nuclear safety is put ahead of all other considerations.
The draft law creates clear rules for the construction and operation of a potential nuclear power plant and establishes requirements for regulating the entire nuclear fuel cycle. Among other things, a tiered licensing system is established, ensuring strict and transparent safety control at each stage. The law establishes an independent nuclear regulator within the Consumer Protection and Technical Supervision Authority (TTJA), which has the right to issue preliminary assessments and operating permits, conduct supervision and, if necessary, suspend operations.
"The main task of the nuclear regulator is to ensure that all decisions and activities related to the development of nuclear energy are based on safety. If a nuclear power plant is built in Estonia, its operation must be transparent, under strictly controlled conditions and based on internationally recognized practices," commented Kristi Talving, Director General of the Estonian Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
The draft law stipulates that the financial responsibility lies entirely with the plant operator, who must provide financial guarantees to cover possible losses, possible decommissioning of the plant, and that in the future the taxpayer will not have to bear the costs of dismantling the plant or waste management.
The law also establishes a local benefit framework for local governments and residents. The holder of a nuclear power plant permit will start paying a local benefit fee, which will be partially received directly by the residents of the region, compensating for any potential burden. Involving residents and strictly adhering to international safety standards is an integral part of the process.
The entry into force will create a legal basis for the work of the nuclear regulator and for the start of formal licensing procedures.
Public consultations will take place in two stages, from December 2025 to February 2026.
The Government of the Republic is expected to discuss the draft in March 2026, and the law is scheduled to enter into force on January 1, 2027.
