Minister Multala learned about Posiva’s final disposal solution at Olkiluoto – joined by two ministerial colleagues from the Baltics

The ministers gained a comprehensive overview of Posiva’s operations during their visit to both the above-ground encapsulation plant and ONKALO®, located at a depth of more than 400 metres.

The visit came at a particularly interesting time for Posiva. In early August, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority of Finland (STUK) completed its safety assessment and supported the granting of an operating licence to Posiva. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is currently preparing a proposal for the Government’s decision on the operating licence.

Although Minister Multala did not give a more precise timetable for the operating licence decision, she said she was impressed by what she had seen.

– ONKALO is not only a Finnish achievement, but also a global milestone. It demonstrates that the long-term responsibilities associated with nuclear energy can be managed safely, transparently and responsibly. Posiva´s determined work over more than 40 years provides an important example for the rest of the world, says Minister of Climate and the Environment Sari Multala.

Decades of work nearing the finish line

According to Posiva’s President and CEO Ilkka Poikolainen, the ministerial visit came at a moment that Posiva has been waiting for a long time.

– It is clear that this is a special moment for us. In Olkiluoto, the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel has been prepared systematically for more than 40 years, and we are now closer to starting operations than ever before. It was a great opportunity to show the minister here on site what all this work has achieved, Poikolainen says.

At Posiva, preparations for the start of final disposal of spent nuclear fuel continue in parallel with the operating licence process. In addition to obtaining the operating licence, commissioning-related work must still be completed and the necessary regulatory approvals obtained before operations can begin.

– We are proceeding step by step, with safety as our highest priority, towards the start of final disposal, Poikolainen says.

Nuclear energy was also a central theme throughout the three ministers’ programme. In addition to Posiva’s management, the ministers were hosted at Olkiluoto by Philippe Bordarier, President and CEO of Teollisuuden Voima (TVO). The programme also included an introduction to the activities of Finnish nuclear energy company Steady Energy.

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At the invitation of Minister Sari Multala, Latvia’s Minister for Climate and Energy Jānis Vitenbergs and Estonia’s Minister of Energy and the Environment Andres Sutt are also visiting Posiva.

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Text: Ville Kulmala
Photos: Tapani Karjanlahti