Finland approves operation of Onkalo nuclear waste repository, reported as world's first
In short
The Finnish government on 22 October granted an operating permit to the Onkalo final repository for high-level radioactive waste from nuclear plants, Japanese outlets reported. They describe it as the world's first such repository. Kyodo-based reports say it could start as early as the beginning of next year.
Read the full story 1 min read
The Finnish government on 22 October granted an operating permit to Onkalo, a final repository for high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, according to Japanese outlets. Nikkei reported from London that, after checks by the regulator, the delivery of waste to the underground facility is to begin. Nikkei, Tokyo Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun and Yahoo! News Japan all describe it as the first such final disposal site for nuclear waste in the world to operate. NHK reported that the government announced that it would permit operation. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
According to the Kyodo report carried by Tokyo Shimbun, Sankei Shimbun and Yahoo! News Japan, the plan is to isolate the waste about 430 metres underground for more than 100,000 years. The facility could start as early as the beginning of next year. The government's operating permit runs until the end of 2070. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
Posiva (ポシバ), which operates Onkalo, welcomed the decision. Its chief executive, Ilkka Poikolainen (イルッカ・ポイコライネン), said in a statement: "It is a great day that will go down in history, both for the company and for Finland." Environment and Climate Minister Murtala (ムルタラ) commented that ensuring the safety of nuclear energy is "a responsibility we owe to the next generation." [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
At Onkalo, spent nuclear fuel is placed in double containers made of copper and cast iron, covered with clay and buried underground. It is to be isolated until the radioactivity of the fuel falls to a safe level. The site is on Olkiluoto island in the southwest of the country, where bedrock formed about 1.9 billion years ago extends. Tokyo Shimbun and Yahoo! News Japan say the risk of major earthquakes or volcanic eruptions there is considered almost nil. [ 2 , 5 ]
Why it matters
Japanese outlets describe Onkalo as the first final disposal site for nuclear waste to be cleared to operate. The documents give no further analysis of consequences beyond the permit and the planned timing.
Key facts
- The Finnish government on 22 October granted an operating permit to the Onkalo final repository for spent nuclear fuel. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 ]
- Outlets say it is the world's first final repository for nuclear waste to be cleared to operate. [ 1 , 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The plan is to isolate the waste about 430 metres underground for more than 100,000 years. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- The government's operating permit runs until the end of 2070. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Spent fuel is to be placed in double containers of copper and cast iron, covered with clay and buried underground. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Operation could begin as early as the beginning of next year. [ 2 , 4 , 5 ]
- Delivery of waste to the underground facility is to begin after checks by the regulator, Nikkei reported. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- When waste deliveries will actually begin. Kyodo-based reports say operation could start as early as the beginning of next year, while Nikkei says delivery begins after checks by the regulator; no document gives a firm date.
- What the operating company is to do by the end of the year. The NHK summary is cut off after saying the operating company will do something with disposal by year-end, so the detail is not available.
- The permit runs until the end of 2070, and the plan is to isolate the waste about 430 metres underground for more than 100,000 years. Reported by a single source so far
- Posiva CEO Ilkka Poikolainen welcomed the decision, saying in a statement it was a great day that will go down in history for the company and for Finland. Reported by a single source so far
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Nikkei publishes its report that the Finnish government approved operation of Onkalo. [ 1 ]
- Tokyo Shimbun publishes the Kyodo report from London. [ 2 ]
- Sankei Shimbun publishes the Kyodo report. [ 4 ]
- Yahoo! News Japan publishes the Kyodo report. [ 5 ]
- NHK publishes its report on 23 October that the government announced the permit on the 22nd. [ 7 ]