Finland approves operation of world's first nuclear waste repository

Finland has officially authorized the operation of the world's first disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel, marking a significant advancement in nuclear waste management. According to the waste management company Posiva, the facility, located in the municipality of Eurajoki in southwestern Finland, is preparing to commence operations. However, a specific date for the opening has yet to be announced.

The construction of the underground repository, named Onkalo, meaning "cave" in Finnish, began 22 years ago. This extensive project took considerably longer compared to the typical 7 to 15 years required to build a nuclear power plant, varying by country and reactor type.

Posiva's CEO, Ilkka Poikolainen, described the approval as a "great and historic day for both Posiva and Finland." He emphasized that before actual disposal begins, the facility will undergo necessary tests and inspections, which require approval from the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority.

The repository is drilled into rock that is approximately 1.9 billion years old, providing a stable environment for long-term storage. It is designed to hold up to 6,500 metric tons of uranium, serving as a storage site for the spent fuel from Finland's five nuclear reactors, which will remain highly radioactive for thousands of years.

The process involves sealing the spent fuel in corrosion-resistant copper canisters, which will then be placed in boreholes within the rock tunnels. These tunnels will be backfilled and sealed with a steel-reinforced concrete plug, ensuring the containment of the radioactive material.

Since the inception of nuclear power plants in the 1950s, countries have struggled with the challenge of safely managing hazardous nuclear waste. Most of the waste is currently kept in interim storage facilities. Finland's approach to developing a permanent repository represents a pioneering solution in this field.

While Finland is leading with the impending operation of Onkalo, other countries are also constructing similar facilities. Sweden and France, for instance, are in the process of building their own repositories. Nevertheless, Finland is likely to be the first to bring an underground facility into full operation.

Source: spiegel.de