18 years and €8bn over budget, the 1.6GW Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor began producing electricity Wednesday.
European nuclear reactor OL3 is largest. Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), its owner, said the unit could meet 14% of Finland’s electricity needs, with Olkiluoto station, now with three reactors, delivering 30%.
“This is a historical day, the benefits that we promised OL3 would bring to the Finnish society are realised,” said TVO’s senior vice president for energy production Marjo Mustonen. I’m proud of the project’s nuclear professionals.”
TVO stated that the OL3 project engaged 4,500 people from over 80 nations. Over 9,000 test reports were collected from 3,300 nuclear tests. The initiative boosted regional economies, particularly in Satakunta.
The first Framatome European Pressurised Reactor (EPR), a third-generation pressurised water reactor, was 1.6GW. Siemens and Areva built it.
Work began in August 2005 and was scheduled to finish in 2009.
Project delays persisted. Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority stated the causes in 2010:
- Given the reactor’s novelty, a too-ambitious schedule;
- Incomplete design and engineering before construction;
- Design talent shortage;
- Inexperience in managing huge construction projects;
- Worldwide equipment manufacturer deficit.
OL3 began supplying Finland’s grid in March last year and was supposed to start normal output four months later, but it suffered a series of malfunctions and outages.
In May, foreign material from steam guide plates entered the turbine’s steam reheater.
Finland today has five nuclear reactors, three in Olkiluoto and two in Loviisa.