EIA report consultation on the lifetime extension of OL1 and OL2 plant units begins

Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment
Publication date 17.12.2024 9.03
Press release
Eurajoki in an aerial photograph

Consultation has begun on the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report concerning the lifetime extension and increased thermal power of the Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 nuclear power plant units of Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO). Comments on the report will be accepted at the Lausuntopalvelu.fi service from 17 December 2024 to 14 February 2025. In addition, a hearing event open to the public will be held in Eurajoki on 6 February 2025

The EIA report submitted by TVO to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on 5 December 2024 examines the environmental impacts of a potential lifetime extension and increased thermal power of OL1 and OL2 plant units.

The EIA procedure examines the possibility to extending the service life of the plant units at current output until 2048 or 2058. It also explores a potential increase to the output of both plants from 2,500 megawatts to 2,750 megawatts.

The EIA report also includes assessments of the project’s impact on people’s living conditions, wellbeing and health as well as the environment, water bodies, groundwater, fisheries, nature sites, landscape and cultural environment. In addition, the project’s effects on community structure and the regional economy have been assessed.

Comments on the EIA report can be submitted through several channels

TVO’s EIA report is available at: https://tem.fi/en/olkiluoto-1-and-2-eia-reportLinkki toiselle sivustolle. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment is requesting comments on the EIA report from authorities and organisations from 17 December 2024 to 14 February 2025. The consultation will be carried out online in the Lausuntopalvelu.fi service. 

Alternatively, statements and opinions can be submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by email to kirjaamo.tem@gov.fi or by post to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, PO Box 32, FI-00023 Government. Please include the reference number VN/19926/2024 in your comment. The statements are public and will be published on the lausuntopalvelu.fi serviceLinkki toiselle sivustolle and the Ministry’s website.

Public hearing event at Eurajoki Municipal Hall on Thursday 6 February 2025

A public hearing event on the EIA report will be held on 6 February 2025 at 17.30-19.30 at Eurajoki Municipal Hall. The address is Kalliotie 5, 27100 Eurajoki. Information about the project and its environmental impact will be available during the event. More information about online participation in the event and practical arrangements can be found on the Ministry’s website at https://tem.fi/en/olkiluoto-1-and-2-eia-reportLinkki toiselle sivustolle and Teollisuuden Voima Oyj’s website at www.tvo.fi/yvaLinkki toiselle sivustolle.

The reasoned conclusion of the coordinating authority (Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment) that concludes the EIA phase of the project is expected to be issued in April 2025. The EIA report will be appended to the operating licence application concerning the lifetime extension of the plants and the increase in thermal power. The coordinating authority for the EIA procedure is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, while the Finnish Environment Institute acts as the coordinating authority for the international hearings.

Inquiries:
Miia Saarimäki, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 033 (EIA procedure)
Jaakko Louvanto, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 274 
Merja Levy, Environmental Manager, TVO, tel. +358 2 83 811 (Environmental Impact Assessment)