MEAE to prepare operating licence for spent nuclear fuel disposal facility of Posiva, taking into account Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority's safety assessment

On 4 August 2026, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority issued a favourable statement to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on the operating licence application of Posiva concerning the encapsulation plant and disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel in Eurajoki.

In its statement and safety assessment, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority states that the conditions of the Nuclear Energy Act for granting an operating licence for Posiva’s encapsulation plant and disposal facility are fulfilled. According to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, there is no obstacle to granting an operating licence for the facility that would be valid until the end of 2070, as applied for by Posiva. 

The favourable statement of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority on the operating licence for the final disposal facility and the safety assessment attached to it are required for granting the operating licence. Now, they make it possible for the Government to process the operating licence application submitted by Posiva. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment considers that a proposal for the decision on the operating licence could be prepared and submitted to the Government in the autumn.

The ministry has already made decisions by which Posiva has joined the financial provision system for the costs of nuclear waste management under the National Nuclear Waste Management Fund. The ministry has also notified the European Commission of the final disposal project in accordance with Article 37 of the Euratom Treaty, and the Commission has issued its statement on the matter. 

Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority to supervise progress of preparations for commissioning the facility 

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will supervise Posiva’s operations during the finalisation of the commissioning and the operation of the facility and can, if necessary, require remedial measures and measures that will improve safety to be taken. 

Before the facility is commissioned, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will conduct the inspection referred to in section 20 of the Nuclear Energy Act to ensure that all conditions for safe operation are met. Despite the decision on the operating licence to be issued by the Government, Posiva may not start operating the facility before the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority has conducted the inspection.

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority proposes conditions to be included in the operating licence. The conditions concern bringing forward the periodic safety assessment, updating the safety case of long-term safety, and supplementing certain plans related to the final disposal solution. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will take the proposed conditions into account in the process to prepare the licence. 

Posiva submitted to the Government an operating licence application under the Nuclear Energy Act for an encapsulation plant and final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel on 30 December 2021. The facility is located at Olkiluoto in Eurajoki. According to the application, spent nuclear fuel from the Olkiluoto and Loviisa nuclear power plants would be placed in final disposal at the facility. 

In 2022 a consultation event was organised where, in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act, various organisations, authorities and citizens had the opportunity to give statements and opinions on the application.

Posiva has been preparing for the final disposal of spent nuclear fuel for more than 40 years. Its encapsulation plant is located above ground, and the underground final disposal facility is located in the bedrock at a depth of approximately 430 metres. 

Posiva and its owners are responsible for the construction and operation of the encapsulation plant and disposal facility and for their financing. In Finland the nuclear energy operators are fully obliged to take care of nuclear waste management and cover its costs. To ensure their financing, contributions from the companies have been collected to the National Nuclear Waste Management Fund since 1988.

Inquiries:
Riku Huttunen, Director General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 50 431 6518 
Jaakko Louvanto, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 274
Juho Korteniemi, Debuty Director General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 054 (on holiday 5.8-16.8.)