4 Jun (NucNet): The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (Stuk) approved the lifetime extension application for the Olkiluoto-1 and -2 nuclear reactor units and submitted its conclusion to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 31 May.
In a statement Stuk said the ministry is now to take a final decision on whether to extend the operating licence of the two units by 20 years until 2038. The current operating licences will expire by the end of 2018.
Stuk said it examined all documentation provided by the operator Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) and concluded the operation of the two Olkiluoto units is safe and meets legislative requirements.
Stuk also said the nuclear waste management procedures put in place by TVO are “sufficient and appropriate”.
In accordance with Finnish legislation, the overall safety of a nuclear facility must be assessed at least once every ten years, the statement said.
According to Stuk, in case the government will grant the life extension permit, TVO will need to carry out a periodic safety review for Olkiluoto-1 and -2 and submit it to Stuk for approval by the end of 2028.
TVO said in earlier statements that Olkiluoto-1 and -2, both 880-MW boiling water reactor units, produce about 22% of Finland’s electricity.
In January 2017, TVO filed an application with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment for the renewal of the operating licences for the two units.
Olkiluoto-1 began commercial operation in 1979 and Olkiluoto-2 in 1982.
