Posiva – thirty years of Finnish cutting-edge expertise

The first blast at Onkalo in 2003

What was the official date of foundation? The founding meeting was held on 8 November 1995 and the start-up notification of the company was filed with the Finnish Patent and Registration Office on 30 November. The operation of the company started officially on 1 January 1996. One thing we can say for certain, however, is that the foundation of Posiva, the Finnish expert company in nuclear waste management, was a significant step. After all, the aim was to accomplish a safe, sustainable, and responsible solution for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

Indeed, Posiva’s final disposal solution and the final disposal site ONKALO® are literally the results of multi-disciplinary development efforts spanning over several decades. The company is in charge of research, development, and design efforts for the implementation of final disposal as well as for the construction and operation of both the encapsulation plant and the final disposal facilities until their closure. Posiva is also responsible for contacts with the authorities pertaining to its scope of operation and acquires the required licences for newbuild and existing plants and for their operation.

Centre of international attention

Posiva’s role has been significant from the very beginning, not only in Finland but also internationally. The first deep geological final disposal facility constructed in Olkiluoto in the municipality of Eurajoki has attracted wide interest everywhere in the world. And no wonder. The spent nuclear fuel has been a challenge that the entire nuclear energy sector has faced since the commissioning of the very first nuclear power plants in the 1950s.

According to Posiva’s President and CEO Ilkka Poikolainen, each and every Posiva employee has good reason to feel proud about the company which in thirty years has grown into an international cutting-edge expert in the safe final disposal of nuclear waste.

We are proud of how our long-term efforts will build a permanent and sustainable solution to future generations for the use of emission-free nuclear power. I wish to extend my gratitude to everybody who has been part of bringing our unique work towards a safe future, Poikolainen says.

As part of the life cycle of nuclear power, the final disposal solution plays a significant role in the fight against climate change because a viable solution for final disposal makes zero-emission use of nuclear power for energy production possible. Determination is probably the right word to describe the efforts of Posiva and the communities that support it to promote the safe final disposal of spent nuclear fuel.

‍

Focal points responsibility and safety

Over the three decades, Posiva has invested in research, development, and collaboration with numerous domestic and international operators. The operation of the company is based on transparency, responsibility, and a long-term perspective – values which have deep roots in the Finnish society. One of the core elements of the work has also been an intensive dialogue with the local communities and authorities.

Significant milestones

• 1995: Posiva is founded and first characterisation studies carried out for siting of final disposal
• The 2000s: Selection of Olkiluoto site and preparations for construction
• The 2010s: Start of construction of final disposal facility
• The 2020s: Preparations for commissioning of facility and for final disposal of waste2026: Posiva’s goal for starting the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel

Future and continuous improvement

Posiva keeps its sight firmly on the future also on celebration days. The concrete beginning of final disposal is approaching fast, as Posiva’s goal is to start the safe final disposal of spent nuclear fuel during the year 2026. The company also still engages in the further development of its solutions, together with Finnish and international partners. The final disposal facility in Olkiluoto serves as a model to other countries seeking their own solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2016, Posiva established the subsidiary Posiva Solutions for the commercialisation of these solutions.

Posiva’s celebrations on the 30-year milestone are unpretentious due to the imminent start of production. At the get-together with coffee and cake, the past accomplishments are reminisced over with the help of old photos of important moments and former employees.

According to the old proverb, well planned is half done. This summarises Posiva’s journey – long-term planning and uncompromised work have made a safe future possible also in nuclear waste management.

The 30-year history of Posiva shows that cooperation, competence, and responsibility are the keys to solving even the most challenging issues that the society faces. Congratulations Posiva – the decades of work will bear fruit long into the future.

Text: Pasi Tuohimaa