Finland Times

 

The Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3 under construction in Eurajoki, Western Finland. File Photo Lehtikuva.

Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) on Thursday submitted an application to the government for an operating license for its nuclear power plant unit Olkiluoto 3, said an official press release.

 

The operating license is being applied for the period from the beginning of 2018 to the end of 2038.

 

Furthermore, TVO is 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 3 unit from the beginning of 2018 until the end of 2038. 

 

The application does not concern the use of final disposal facilities for nuclear waste. 

 

The processing of the operating license application will include a statutory procedure for comments. To prepare the licensing decision, the Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE) will request statements from several ministries and certain other authorities and communities.

 

The purpose of the operating license procedure is to ensure, in particular, that the plant meets the safety requirements set for its continuous operation. 

 

The statement of the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) plays a key role in drafting the license decision. 

 

STUK verifies that the plant has been built in accordance with the plans and that its staff members have received training on the safe operation of the facility. 

 

The operation and maintenance of the nuclear power plant will be monitored and controlled throughout its operational life.

 

Olkiluoto 3 received a construction license from the government on February 17, 2005. 

 

On January 17, 2002, the government made a favourable decision-in-principle on TVO's Olkiluoto 3 project and Parliament ratified it on 24 May, 2002.