Finland’s government granted Posiva an operating licence on Oct. 22 for the spent-nuclear-fuel encapsulation and final-disposal facility at Olkiluoto, known as Onkalo. The licence runs through the end of 2070. Finnish broadcaster Yle and the operator describe it as the first operating licence of its kind for a final repository for spent reactor fuel. The decision followed a favorable safety assessment from Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) in August. It authorizes the next stage toward operation; it should not be read as confirmation that fuel has already been placed in permanent storage. Sources: Posiva (Oct. 22): posiva.fi source ↗ ; Yle (Oct. 23): yle.fi source ↗ ; Finnish Government background: valtioneuvosto.fi source ↗
Technology
Finland licenses world-first spent-fuel repository at Onkalo
Finland’s government has licensed Posiva to operate the spent-fuel encapsulation and final-disposal facility at Olkiluoto through 2070. The permit is a major regulatory milestone; it does not mean permanent disposal has already begun.
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