Finland currently operates four nuclear reactors, plans on adding new units for additional capacity, and is building an underground permanent waste storage facility.

Finland currently operates four nuclear reactors that generated 22 billion kWh in 2006, over one quarter of the nation’s electricity. These reactors are among the world’s most efficient, with approximate capacity form factors of 94%.

Currently Operating Nuclear Reactors

• Loviisa 1: began operations in 1977 , licensed through 2027,
• Loviisa 2: began operations in 1981, licensed through 2030.
• Olkiluoto 1: began operations in 1979, licensed through 2039,
• Olkiluoto 2: began operations in 1982, licensed through 2042.

Fortum Power & Heat Oy operates the Loviisa Nuclear Plant in southeastern Finland. These units are both Russian VVER-440 pressurized water reactors with western control systems. Both units were recently uprated from their original 465 MWe (gross) to 510 MWe. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) recently granted a 20 year license extension for both units, increasing their operating lifetime to 50 years.

Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) operates the other two reactors at Olkiluoto Nuclear Plant in southwestern Finland. These units are Swedish boiling water reactors (BWR). Both units have been uprated from 658 NWe net at operational start to 860 MWe net, and their operational lifetime has been extended to 60 years.

Nuclear Facility Expansion

TVO plans on progressively uprating the existing Olkiluoto reactors to 1,000 MWe, starting with the replacement of low-pressure turbines between 2009-2011.

In May 2002, Finland’s parliament voted 107-92 in favor of building a fifth reactor to meet the country’s energy needs. This reactor, to be located at the Olkiluoto facility, will be a 1,600 MWe European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) built by Areva and Siemens AG. Construction began in May 2005 and commercial operations are scheduled to begin in 2011.

In 2010, the Olkiluoto facility is expected to begin power exports to Sweden, via an 800 MWe undersea transmission line.

Finland’s government has also received proposals from both TVO and Fortum for a possible sixth reactor. Also, a new consortium of industrial and energy companies hopes to establish a join venture company, Fennovoima Oy, with plans to construct a new 1,000 - 1,800 MWe nuclear power plant that would commence operations between 2016-2018.

Fuel and Enrichment Supplies

TVO’s standard practice is to purcahse uranium from Canada, Australia and Africa. This uranium is converted in Canada and France to Uranium Hexafluoride (UF6), which is then enriched in Russia. Fuel fabrication takes place in Germany, Sweden and Spain.

Fortum used to contract with Russia for complete fuel supply services, but now they contract with British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) for half of their fuel needs.

Waste Management

Fortum utilizes expanded, on-site interim storage pools for its nuclear waste, however, until 1996, Loviisa’s spent fuel was returned to the Mayak reprocessing complex near Chelyabinsk, Russia.

At Olkiluoto, TVO utilizes surface pool storage for spent fuel. In operation since 1987, this facility is designed to hold waste products for approximately 50 years, pending deep geological disposal.

Currently, joint venture company Posiva Oy is constructing an underground characterization facility (ONKALO) at Eurajoki, Finland, close to the Olkiluoto plant. When complete, this facility will handle the final disposal of nuclear fuel for both TVO (60%) and Fortum (40%). The deep geological repository will be contained in two billion -year-old igneous rock, 500 meters below the surface. It is hoped the facility will commence operations in 2020.

Regulation and Safety

Due to the Nuclear Energy Act of 1987, Finland’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (KTM) is responsible for supervision of nuclear power operation and waste disposal. The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) is responsible for regulation and inspection.

References

“Country Profiles: Finland.” Nuclear Energy Agency. June 20, 2007.

“Nuclear Energy in Finland.” Uranium Information Center (UIC). November 2007.

“Nuclear Energy in Finland.” World Nuclear Association. August 2007.

Teollisuuden Voima Oy (TVO) Official Website.