Finland Prepares to Open First Permanent Spent Nuclear Fuel Repository in Onkalo Facility

The Onkalo facility, located on Olkiluoto island on Finland's west coast, is scheduled to begin operations as the world's first permanent repository for spent nuclear fuel. 2 billion. 3 miles inland and home to approximately 9,000 residents, many of whom work at the nearby nuclear power plant or storage facilities.

9-billion-year-old migmatite-gneiss bedrock. This bedrock was selected for its stability and low earthquake risk. The facility is near three of Finland's five nuclear reactors. Authorities in Finland expect to grant an operating license within months.

Once operational, spent nuclear fuel rods will be processed at a nearby encapsulation plant using unmanned machinery. The rods will be sealed in copper canisters, placed in tunnels over 400 meters underground, and surrounded by bentonite clay layers that absorb water.

The company responsible for managing Finland's spent nuclear fuel states that Onkalo can accommodate 6,500 tons of fuel.

The canisters are designed to remain sealed until the radioactivity decreases to levels not harmful to the environment. The company estimates that it will take hundreds of thousands of years for the radioactivity to reach normal background levels. Finnish nuclear power companies are funding the project through funds accumulated over decades.

Operations Currently, spent nuclear fuel is stored in pools at reactors or in above-ground dry casks worldwide, with no operational permanent underground facilities for commercial waste.

Onkalo is projected to operate until the 2120s, after which it will be permanently sealed.

The facility's development addresses the need for long-term storage of radioactive waste, affecting nuclear energy operations in Finland and potentially influencing international approaches to waste management.

Stakeholders include local communities, nuclear operators, and regulatory bodies. Future steps involve licensing approval and initial waste emplacement.