TVO applies for an operating licence for the OL1 and OL2 nuclear power plant units valid until the end of 2038

On 26 January 2017, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) submitted to the Finnish Government an application for an operating licence for its nuclear power plant units Olkiluoto 1 (OL1) and Olkiluoto 2 (OL2), in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act. The operating licence would be valid from 2019 to 2038. The current operating licence for the two plant units is valid until the end of 2018. It was granted in 1998.

TVO is also requesting permission to use the current interim storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel and other nuclear waste located at the Olkiluoto site for the interim storage of the nuclear waste generated in the operation of the Olkiluoto plant units from the beginning of 2019 until the end of 2038. The application for an operating licence does not cover the use of final disposal facilities. These are separate nuclear facilities requiring their own operating licences.

The processing of the operating licence application will include a statutory consultation round, which will start in early February. To prepare the licence decision, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will request statements from several ministries and certain other authorities and communities.

The Ministry requests that the statements and opinions are submitted by 15 May 2017. The decision on the operating licence will be presented to the Government in early 2018.

The purpose of the operating licence procedure is to ensure, in particular, that the plant meets the safety requirements for its continuous operation. The statement and safety assessment by the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) plays a key role in drafting the licence decision. STUK inspects that the plant has been and will be used in accordance with the Finnish safety requirements. The operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plant will be supervised and controlled throughout its operational life.

The reactors in the nuclear power plant units OL1 and OL2 are light water reactors of the boiling water type. The main contractor was the Swedish AB ASEA-ATOM (now ABB Atom AB). The OL1 unit was connected to the main grid in September 1978 and the OL2 unit in February 1980. Both plant units have an electrical net output of 880 MW.

More information about the application and the operating licence procedure is available on the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment website at: www.tem.fi/olkiluoto-1-ja-2-kayttolupa

Inquiries:
Jorma Aurela, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 592 2109
Liisa Heikinheimo, Head of the Nuclear Energy and Fuels Unit, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 29 504 7035