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Public Attitudes Toward Small Modular Reactors in Sweden

Thelander, Åsa LU orcid and Rahm, Henrik (2026) RICOMET 2026
Abstract
As small modular reactors (SMRs) gain prominence in global discussions in the nuclear renaissance, questions about their societal acceptance become increasingly important. Technological and economic aspects dominate the public debate while social dimensions – especially public attitudes – remain under explored. Based on a survey with citizens, this study examines how the Swedish public perceives SMRs in a period marked by a significant policy shift: from nuclear phase out to renewed investment in nuclear power, accompanied by a transition from majority opposition to majority support among citizens.

Because SMRs may be located closer to local communities than conventional reactors, they introduce new considerations related to... (More)
As small modular reactors (SMRs) gain prominence in global discussions in the nuclear renaissance, questions about their societal acceptance become increasingly important. Technological and economic aspects dominate the public debate while social dimensions – especially public attitudes – remain under explored. Based on a survey with citizens, this study examines how the Swedish public perceives SMRs in a period marked by a significant policy shift: from nuclear phase out to renewed investment in nuclear power, accompanied by a transition from majority opposition to majority support among citizens.

Because SMRs may be located closer to local communities than conventional reactors, they introduce new considerations related to perceived risks, expected benefits, and democratic involvement. Attitudes toward nuclear power cannot be assumed to translate directly to this emerging technology.

Drawing on a national survey, the study analyzes how Swedish citizens rate and evaluate risks and advantages of SMRs, their willingness to accept a facility in their local area, as well as their interest and preferences for participation in decision making processes. The findings contribute to understanding the societal conditions shaping nuclear renewal in a rapidly changing world. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
As small modular reactors (SMRs) gain prominence in global discussions on the nuclear renaissance, questions about their societal acceptance become increasingly important. While technological and economic aspects dominate the early discourse, social dimensions—especially public attitudes—remain underexplored. This study examines how the Swedish public perceives SMRs in a period marked by a significant policy shift: from nuclear phase out to renewed investment in nuclear power, accompanied by a transition from majority opposition to majority support among citizens.
Because SMRs may be located closer to local communities than conventional reactors, they introduce new considerations related to perceived risks, expected benefits, and... (More)
As small modular reactors (SMRs) gain prominence in global discussions on the nuclear renaissance, questions about their societal acceptance become increasingly important. While technological and economic aspects dominate the early discourse, social dimensions—especially public attitudes—remain underexplored. This study examines how the Swedish public perceives SMRs in a period marked by a significant policy shift: from nuclear phase out to renewed investment in nuclear power, accompanied by a transition from majority opposition to majority support among citizens.
Because SMRs may be located closer to local communities than conventional reactors, they introduce new considerations related to perceived risks, expected benefits, and democratic involvement. Attitudes toward nuclear power cannot be assumed to translate directly to this emerging technology.
Drawing on a national survey, the study analyzes how people in Sweden evaluate the risks and advantages of SMRs, their willingness to accept a facility in their local area, and their preferences for participation in decision making processes. The findings contribute to understanding the societal conditions shaping nuclear renewal in a rapidly changing world.
(Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
conference name
RICOMET 2026
conference location
Prague, Czech Republic
conference dates
2026-09-23 - 2026-09-25
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
aa3c9d0c-4640-4d98-b914-a57a6dd861b0
date added to LUP
2026-09-29 09:12:14
date last changed
2026-09-29 10:22:02
@misc{aa3c9d0c-4640-4d98-b914-a57a6dd861b0,
  abstract     = {{As small modular reactors (SMRs) gain prominence in global discussions in the nuclear renaissance, questions about their societal acceptance become increasingly important. Technological and economic aspects dominate the public debate while social dimensions – especially public attitudes – remain under explored. Based on a survey with citizens, this study examines how the Swedish public perceives SMRs in a period marked by a significant policy shift: from nuclear phase out to renewed investment in nuclear power, accompanied by a transition from majority opposition to majority support among citizens.<br/><br/>Because SMRs may be located closer to local communities than conventional reactors, they introduce new considerations related to perceived risks, expected benefits, and democratic involvement. Attitudes toward nuclear power cannot be assumed to translate directly to this emerging technology.<br/><br/>Drawing on a national survey, the study analyzes how Swedish citizens rate and evaluate risks and advantages of SMRs, their willingness to accept a facility in their local area, as well as their interest and preferences for participation in decision making processes. The findings contribute to understanding the societal conditions shaping nuclear renewal in a rapidly changing world.}},
  author       = {{Thelander, Åsa and Rahm, Henrik}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{09}},
  title        = {{Public Attitudes Toward Small Modular Reactors in Sweden}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}