On the island of Olkiluoto, where Teollisuuden Voima’s (TVO) nuclear power plants are located, low- and medium-level waste is generated as part of their operations. This waste is carefully treated and disposed of in a special facility located in the bedrock of the power plant area. In addition, the final disposal facility is used for the storage and processing of state-controlled radioactive waste produced by various industries, medical facilities and research institutes. These final disposal activities are carefully planned so that they do not endanger the safety of waste management related to the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant operations.
STUK conducts a thorough safety assessment of the disposal facility at least every 15 years. At the end of 2021, TVO submitted the facility’s safety assessment and supporting materials for review. Based on its observations, STUK has confirmed that TVO has effective procedures for the safe final disposal of currently managed waste types. For this reason, it is considered possible to continue the safe use of the disposal facility.
Inspector general Ari Luukkonen STUK commented: “The underground facilities currently in use at the disposal facility were commissioned by the Government’s decision in 1992. Since then, we have regularly checked the conditions for the safe operation of the facility. The safety assessment has not revealed any deficiencies or defects that would cause a radiation hazard to people or the environment now or in the future.”
The disposal facility located on the island of Olkiluoto has been granted an operating license authorized by the Government in 2012, which extends to the end of 2051. Olkiluoto processes low- and medium-level waste well into the 21st century. STUK will then evaluate the safety of final investment solutions in the second half of the 21st century.
STUK’s periodic safety assessments aim to assess the safety of both existing and future waste management solutions. The general goal is to protect individuals, society and future generations from all adverse effects of radiation exposure.
It is important to note that high-level waste, primarily spent nuclear fuel, is treated separately. Posiva Oy oversees the construction of the Onkalo disposal facility in the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant area for the safe disposal of high-level nuclear waste.
HT
Source: The Nordic Page