The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)  in Finland has granted a fuel loading permit for Teollisuuden Voima Oyj’s (TVO) Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant unit (OL3) on 26 March 2021. STUK announced recently. (Photo quoted from STUK’s website)

STUK states in its fuel loading permit that OL3 meets the safety requirements set for it and its security and emergency arrangements and procedures are sufficient in order to load nuclear fuel in the reactor. STUK also states that the control necessary to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons has been appropriately arranged and that the nuclear facility licensee has arranged, in the manner provided, indemnification regarding liability in the event of   nuclear damage.

Project Manager Essi Vanhanen from STUK states that when the fuel loading begins, OL3 will be regarded as an operating nuclear power plant and STUK’s oversight will continue as oversight of a nuclear power plant in use. TVO, as the licensee, is responsible for ensuring that the plant is safe and used in accordance with the safety requirements.

The fuel loading is followed by a commissioning phase lasting several months during which TVO will continue to test the plant. There are a number of tests that require fuel to be loaded in the reactor to show that the systems work correctly. TVO has planned that regular electricity generation will start in February 2022.

According to Project Manager Essi Vanhanen, STUK oversees the commissioning phase closely and TVO needs an authorization from STUK before advancing from one commissioning phase to another.

(IRuniverse)