Unplanned Events

Olkiluoto Incident / Finland Regulator Says ‘No Danger To People Or Environment’

By David Dalton
10 December 2020

Event was triggered by elevated radiation measurements at Unit 2
Finland Regulator Says ‘No Danger To People Or Environment’
The Olkiluoto nuclear power station in Finland. Courtesy TVO.
An incident at the Olkiluoto-2 nuclear power plant in Finland today was triggered when elevated radiation levels were measured inside the facility causing the reactor to be shut down, the International Atomic energy Agency and Finland’s regulator Stuk have said

The IAEA said it was informed today at 12:56 (Vienna time) by Stuk about an event at Olkiluoto-2, which is owned and operated by nuclear power company Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO).

According to Stuk, no radiation from the plant has entered the environment.

Stuk said on Twitter at 16:00 (Finland time) that “an abnormal operational occurrence” was detected at Olkiluoto-2 power plant around 13.00.

“There is no danger to people or environment. No need for protective measures. Do not take iodine tablet, no need to seek shelter inside,” the Twitter feed said.

Stuk said in a statement on its website that the incident was triggered after radiation monitoring systems measured elevated radiation levels inside the plant. It said it was investigating, but “according to the information received by Stuk, no radiation has entered the environment from the plant, and the radiation situation in the plant's environment is normal.

TVO said there was “a disturbance” at Olkiluoto-2 at 12.22 local time that led to an automatic reactor scram.

During the scram, the plant operated as planned. TVO said reports that the plant is being prepared for a cold shutdown state are not correct. “The situation is currently being investigated,” it said.

“There is no release from the plant. No harm has been caused to people or the environment.”

The plant is located on Olkiluoto Island about 220 km northwest of the capital, Helsinki. There are two boiling water reactor units at the station and one EPR under construction. The 890-MW Olkiluoto-2 began commercial operation in July 1982.

The IAEA said in a statement that it is in contact with its counterparts in Finland and will provide further public information as it becomes available.

Pen Use this content

Tags


Related