​Environmental and cooling water permits of Olkiluoto under review

The application for the review of the environmental permit regulations applies to the operation and the associated environmental impact of the operating plant units OL1 and OL2 as well as the OL3 plant unit under construction. An application for the review of the power plant's water permit was submitted at the same time.

The modernisation projects carried out at OL1 and OL2 have increased the energy efficiency and the operating efficiency of the plant units.

- The electric output of the units has become higher and the amount of cooling water has increased. Yet, the heat load led to the sea has been reduced. The temperature rise of the cooling water decreased at the plant from 13°C to 10°C, says Environmental Engineer Johanna Koskenranta.

The cooling water from the plant affects the temperature of the seawater, which is monitored near the outlet of the discharge channel. The limit values specified for the temperature have not been exceeded at any point during the permit period. The commissioning of OL3 will increase the area of influence of the cooling water, but the impact will still be local, mainly in the sea area off Kaalonperä.

The operation of the plant has not been found to cause any risks to the good ecological status of the water bodies in the area.

The applications do not pertain to matters that fall under the Nuclear Energy Act or the Radiation Act, such as radiological impact or disposal of nuclear waste.

- The review application is an extensive dossier that contains 19 Appendices. Information regarding the boundary neighbours and other stakeholders has been taken into account in the applications, explains Ms. Koskenranta.

For more information about the topic, please contact Harri Salonen, Manager, Quality and Environment ([email protected])