TVO submits to the Ministry an EIA report on lifetime extension of Olkiluoto OL1 and OL2 plant units

On 5 December 2024, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment received an environmental impact assessment (EIA) report from Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO). The report assesses the environmental effects of a potential extension to the service life of Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 nuclear power plant units as well as an increase to their thermal power.

As a coordinating authority for the project, the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment issued a statement on the EIA programme in April 2024. The Ministry considered that the EIA programme meets the content requirements laid down in the EIA Decree and, in terms of its extent and detail, is a suitable plan for assessing the environmental impact of the project.

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

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

The EIA procedure examines the possibility to extending the service life of TVO’s Olkiluoto 1 and Olkiluoto 2 nuclear power plant units at current output until 2048 or 2058. It also examines a potential increase to the output of both plant units from 2,500 megawatts to 2,750 megawatts.

TVO’s EIA report is available at: https://tem.fi/olkiluoto-ol1-ja-ol2-yva-selostus. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will request opinions on it from authorities and organisations and will organise a hearing with citizens and communities. The consultation will begin later in December and be carried out online in the Lausuntopalvelu.fi service. A public hearing event will be held in Eurajoki in early 2025.

After the consultation phase, all comments received will be compiled, and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment will issue TVO a informed conclusion on the report. It is expected to be submitted in April 2025. The EIA report will be appended to the operating licence application concerning the  lifetime extension of the plant units 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 (Syke) 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 
Jaakko Louvanto, Senior Specialist, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, tel. +358 295 048 274