Nuclear Energy in Finland

Finland has four operating nuclear power plants. Two units are on the south coast in Loviisa,  two on the west coast, in Olkiluoto.

The fifth unit , Olkiluoto 3, is underway. In autumn 2009, manpower on the Olkiluoto 3 construction site reached the peak of about 4500. In 2010, the project is carried forward by some 3600 workers towards the installation of the main components in the nuclear island. 
 

Proposed new NPPs

Decisions in Principle for the construction of 2 new nuclear reactors were approved by the Parliament on July 1, 2010. Decisions were granted to TVO and Fennovoima. 

• TVO - Olkiluoto 4
• Fennovoima - at Simo or Pyhäjoki in Northern Finland

Finland has an excellent track record of its reactors: they are among the world's most efficient, with the average capacity factors of 94-95%. Finnish reactor units are also remarkable in the extent to which they have been upgraded since they were built. TVO's Olkiluoto 1 and 2 started up at 690 MWe, they nowadays produce 870 MWe each and their lifetime has been extended to 60 years, subject to safety evaluation every decade. TVO now proposes progressively to upgrade them further to 1000 MWe each, starting with replacement low-pressure turbines in 2010-2011. Fortum owned reactors in Loviisa have also undergone upgrading by 9% since they started operating in late 70ies. Fortum and TVO expertise in the nuclear field – especially nuclear safety – is constantly being sought by foreign clients too.

Among the first countries in the world, Finland has also developed the unique technology and solution for the final disposal of spent fuel. The responsible company Posiva Oy is constructing the final disposal facility called ONKALO in Olkiluoto. Spent nuclear fuel will be packed in a multibarrier storage system protected by copper canisters and embedded in bedrock at a depth of 400 metres. Some 42 kilometres of underground tunnels are being excavated for these purposes.

Finnish nuclear legislation

• in Finnish
• Translations in English

Finnish Radiation Safety Authority´s guidelines

Nuclear Power Plants licensing and regulation information by STUK (Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority)

Information by the Finnish Ministry of Employment and Economy (TEM)