TVO submits OL3 Operating License application to the Ministry of Employment and the Economy

14.4.2016

Olkiluoto 3 Project has moved one step closer to commissioning. Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO) has today submitted an Operating License application for Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant unit to the Finnish Ministry of Employment and the Economy (MEE). TVO expects to obtain the Operating License towards the end of 2017.

After the license has been granted, nuclear commissioning will commence. Regular electricity generation at the plant unit will begin at the end of 2018.

- This is an important milestone towards commissioning of OL3, says Jouni Silvennoinen, Senior Vice President, responsible for the OL3 Project.

- Now the project is moving from installations to testing. The Operating License application process is the most important phase of the final acceptance of a nuclear power project before start up of the new power plant unit.

The application material combines the preparation work of several years. The most time consuming part of the application, comprising about 130,000 pages, was the safety analysis documentation submitted to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority in Finland (STUK).

The application submitted to MEE contains information on, for instance, the technical and operational safety principles, arrangements for nuclear waste management as well as the applicant's expertise and financial position. Statements on the license application will be requested by MEE, and STUK will give its safety assessment for the application. The Finnish Government will make a decision on granting the Operating License based on MEE's proposal.

During the operating license application process, works continue at the OL3 site. The current workforce at the site comprises about 2,400 people. In January, instrumentation and control system testing was launched and last week testing of the first process system, the seawater system, was initiated. The main electromechanical installations, including piping works, will be completed during the first half of 2016.

According to the schedule submitted by the OL3 supplier, regular electricity generation at OL3 will start at the end of 2018.

For more information, please contact:
Jouni Silvennoinen, Senior Vice President, OL3 Project, TVO
Interview requests: Tel. +358 9 6180 5216

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