Statement from the coordinating authority on the EIA-programme of Olkiluoto 1 and 2 nuclear power plant units on extending their service life and increasing thermal power

The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment issued a statement on the EIA-programme on 25 April 2024 concerning an extension to the service life of Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 nuclear power plant units in Eurajoki as well as an increase to their thermal output. The Ministry received from Teollisuuden Voima Oyj an environmental impact assessment programme on 5 January 2024.

The options considered in the EIA procedure are the continued use of the plant units at current output until 2048 or 2058 and the continued use at increased output until 2048 or 2058. The plant units were put into service in 1978 (Olkiluoto 1) and 1980 (Olkiluoto 2). The service life for the units was previously extended to 60 years.

In its statement, the Ministry considers that the EIA programme meets the content requirements laid down in the EIA Decree and, in terms of its extent and detail, is an adequate plan for assessing the environmental impact of the project, provided that the issues presented in the Ministry’s statement are taken into account as the project progresses and at a later stage of the EIA procedure.

In particular, the Ministry highlights the ageing management of the plant, the consideration of risks caused by climate change, nuclear waste management arrangements and exceptional situations and accidents.

In cooperation with the project manager, the Ministry organised a public event on the assessment programme. A total of 20 statements were submitted to the Ministry during the national consultation.

The statements largely considered the EIA programme to be comprehensive and sufficient. However, many of them drew attention to the growth of the thermal load in the sea water caused by the cooling water of the plant as well as the risks posed by climate change. The issues of nuclear waste management and the energy market were also brought up in the statements. 

An international consultation on the EIA programme was also organised in accordance with the Espoo Convention. The international hearings focused on the risks of a serious nuclear accident and its consequences, in particular.

According to the assessment presented in the programme, Teollisuuden Voima will submit the assessment report to the coordinating authority in August 2024. The report would be publicly available in August 2024. The EIA report and the reasoned conclusion will be appended to the licence application concerning the project. The Finnish Government grants the licence for the operation of a nuclear facility.

Inquiries:
Hanna-Mari Kyllönen, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 089
Juho Korteniemi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 047 054