Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant

Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant
Hannu Huovila / TVO · CC BY 3.0 · source
Name	Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant
Country	Finland
Location	Eurajoki, Satakunta
Coordinates	61, 14, 13, N...
Owner	Teollisuuden Voima (TVO)
Status	Operational
Construction began	Unit 1: 1974; Unit 2: 1975; Unit 3: 2005
Commissioned	Unit 1: 1978; Unit 2: 1980; Unit 3: 2023
Reactor type	BWR (Units 1 & 2), EPR (Unit 3)
Reactor supplier	Asea-Atom (Units 1 & 2), Areva (Unit 3)
Ps electrical capacity	3,380 MW
Ps annual generation	~25 TWh

Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant is a major nuclear facility located on the island of Olkiluoto in the Baltic Sea, within the municipality of Eurajoki in Satakunta, Finland. Owned and operated by the utility company Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), it is a cornerstone of the Finnish energy policy, providing a significant portion of the nation's baseload electricity. The plant currently hosts three reactor units, including the first European Pressurized Reactor (EPR) to enter commercial operation globally.

History

The decision to construct the facility emerged from Finland's strategic push for energy independence following the 1973 oil crisis. Construction of the first two units began in the mid-1970s under a contract with the Swedish firm Asea-Atom, with Unit 1 commencing commercial operation in 1978 and Unit 2 following in 1980. The project for a third unit, Olkiluoto 3, was launched in the early 2000s, awarded to a consortium led by the French company Areva and the German Siemens. This project became one of the most significant and delayed nuclear construction endeavors in Europe, facing major technical challenges, cost overruns, and legal disputes between TVO and the Areva-Siemens consortium. After nearly two decades of construction and testing, Olkiluoto 3 finally entered regular electricity production in April 2023.

Reactors

The site comprises three distinct reactor units. Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 are twin boiling water reactors (BWRs) with a net electrical output of approximately 890 MW each, originally supplied by Asea-Atom. These units have undergone several power uprates and life extension programs overseen by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK). The flagship unit, Olkiluoto 3, is a 1,600 MW European Pressurized Reactor (EPR), a third-generation pressurized water reactor design. As the largest nuclear reactor in Europe and the first EPR to achieve commercial operation, it features advanced safety systems including a core catcher and redundant containment structures.

Safety and regulation

Safety oversight is the strict responsibility of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Finland's independent nuclear regulator. The regulatory framework is aligned with standards from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Western European Nuclear Regulators' Association (WENRA). All units are designed to withstand extreme external events, such as aircraft crash scenarios and potential flooding from the Baltic Sea. The Olkiluoto 3 containment building is designed to resist the impact of a commercial airliner. The facility also hosts the ONKALO spent nuclear fuel repository, a pioneering deep geological repository project managed by Posiva.

Economic and environmental impact

The plant is critically important to the Finnish economy, providing stable, low-carbon baseload power to industries and households. It significantly reduces Finland's reliance on electricity imports from neighboring countries like Russia, Sweden, and Norway. Environmentally, nuclear generation at the site avoids millions of tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually compared to fossil fuel alternatives, supporting Finland's ambitious climate change targets under the Paris Agreement. The operation supports hundreds of high-skilled jobs directly and within the supply chain, involving companies like Fortum and various regional contractors.

Future developments

The owner, Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), has applied for a decision-in-principle from the Finnish Government to construct a fourth reactor unit, Olkiluoto 4. This proposed unit is currently envisioned as another European Pressurized Reactor (EPR). The ongoing operation of the ONKALO repository, developed by Posiva, represents a long-term commitment to managing spent nuclear fuel. Furthermore, the operational experience and data from Olkiluoto 3 are being closely studied by the global nuclear industry, particularly for future projects like those planned in the United Kingdom at Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C.

Category:Nuclear power stations in Finland Category:Buildings and structures in Satakunta Category:1978 establishments in Finland