First nuclear repository in Finland: "We are very practical people"

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Tuohimaa is the communications manager of Posiva Oy in Helsinki. The company was founded back in 1995 by two operators of nuclear power plants in the country – with the aim of finally finding a local repository. The company now claims to have achieved this: Onkalo is to be built in Olkiluoto, the first deep geological repository for spent fuel and other highly radioactive leftovers from nuclear technology, which is to be operated until 2100 before being sealed off for 10,000 years or more.

The material is to be placed and sealed in the gigantic facility using the Swedish KBS-3 method. Final tests are currently underway and regular operations will begin in 2026. In the interview, Tuohimaa talks about why Finland seems to be able to do something here that other countries – including much larger ones such as Germany and the USA – cannot, even though the problem is extremely urgent and the existing storage sites are only temporary.

heise online: After all, it appears to be quite difficult to set up a safe repository for spent fuel. What is Finland doing differently to previous attempts that seems to be working this time?

Pasi Tuohimaa: We have pursued a very open and transparent communication strategy since the early days of nuclear power production in Finland – that was more than 45 years ago. We have earned the trust of the Finnish population – through transparent site visits, direct information and also by communicating bad news when it occurs. We also have a really good track record with all our power plants in terms of energy production and nuclear safety.

So you're saying: we can do here what others can't. This is obviously a great achievement for a small country like Finland.

Finns are very practical people. When we need to do something, for example to secure our energy or electricity sector, we do it. The same goes for waste.

People here believe that if our generation produces waste, it is their responsibility to take care of it and not leave it to the solidarity of future generations.

Since the start of electricity production, nuclear power plant operators have also been paying money into the nuclear waste fund, which is controlled by the responsible ministry, to ensure the final disposal of spent fuel elements. The idea of the fund is that money is always available for final disposal, even if the companies were to go bankrupt and simply disappear. There are currently around 2.5 billion euros in the fund.

How far have the preparations at Onkalo progressed?

The facilities have been completed underground and also at ground level in the encapsulation plant. We now have the test run for the entire complex. It started at the end of August and will continue for a few more months. So we are in the countdown to the start of final storage.

What is special about the Onkalo site?

It will be the world's first real final repository for spent fuel that is in operation. It is decades ahead of any other similar site or project. Onkala also has a lot of support from the local population.

The municipalities of Eurajoki and Loviisa were actually competing for the site. Both were already nuclear sites, so confidence in the technology had already been earned and people knew a lot about nuclear energy and our safety culture. Nobody had to give in to any preconceptions. The more you know, the less you fear.

But how does the local population actually feel about your plant?

They are all quite proud of the project.