Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment submits reasoned conclusion on the EIA report of Olkiluoto units 1 and 2

On 11 April 2025, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment submitted a reasoned conclusion on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report on the Olkiluoto 1 and 2 nuclear power plant units of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj. The reasoned conclusion completes the EIA procedure for the project.

In the reasoned conclusion, the coordinating authority states its view on the environmental impacts of the project. The conclusion is based on the assessment report, statements and opinions issued on it, and the coordinating authority’s own evaluation.

The options considered in the EIA procedure were the lifetime extension of the plant units at current output up until 2058 and the lifetime extension at increased output up until 2058. In addition, the continued use at current output until the expiry of the valid operating licence in 2038 was examined. Increasing the output would raise the nominal electrical power of the plant units from 890 MW to a maximum of 970 MW. 

The project was also subject to the transboundary environmental impact assessment specified in the so-called Espoo Convention.

Report meets the requirements of EIA legislation – options were sufficiently compared

In its reasoned conclusion, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment stated that the assessment report meets the requirements of the EIA legislation. The options examined were found not to have the kind of significant adverse environmental impacts that could not be accepted, prevented or mitigated to an acceptable level. For all options considered, the environmental impacts of the plant units would continue largely unchanged from the current situation. 

The environmental impacts of increasing the output are estimated to be slightly higher than the impacts of extending the service life alone. The most significant impact from the nuclear power plant during its normal operation is the thermal load of cooling water in the nearby sea area.  The project options will have a considerable effect on the energy market and the regional economy.

The reasoned conclusion, the EIA report and the statements and opinions received during the consultation period are available on the website of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment at https://tem.fi/en/olkiluoto-1-and-2-eia-report

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will issue a public notice concerning its reasoned conclusion. 

The Ministry will submit the reasoned conclusion to the authorities responsible for the project, the relevant authorities and to all parties who received a request for a statement. The conclusion will also be submitted to the Finnish Environment Institute, which will forward it to the other countries that participated in the EIA procedure.

Inquiries:
Miia Saarimäki, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 328 2345, miia.saarimaki(at)gov.fi
Jaakko Louvanto, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 444 9763, jaakko.louvanto(at)gov.fi