Nuclear power|The entire demolition process cost 24 million euros. VTT plans to use the lessons learned from the project abroad.
The summary is made by artificial intelligence and checked by a human.
The oldest nuclear reactor in Finland has been dismantled in Otaniemi, Espoo.
The reactor was active between 1962 and 2015. Its decommissioning cost a total of 24 million euros.
The demolition operation itself was relatively quick and inexpensive, and the radioactive waste was transferred to the final disposal facility of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. However, the preparation and permit process took years.
Finland the demolition of the oldest nuclear reactor has now been completed – after a long process that cost 24 million euros.
The reactor located in Otaniemi, Espoo was active between 1962 and 2015. It was maintained by the Technology Research Center VTT.
In terms of Finnish energy history, it is even a historical issue, because the reactor was Finland’s first and oldest, and the Finnish chamber has never dismantled an actual nuclear reactor before.
Self the demolition was a relatively quick and inexpensive operation compared to the whole, VTT’s leading researcher Markus Airila tells HS.
“From the moment when the Government granted permission for the actual demolition phase in 2021, everything went very smoothly,” says Airila.
The Government’s permit was granted in 2021, and the last demolition works were completed in April 2024. According to Airila, it is a fast pace when compared internationally.
In the demolition operation that lasted just under a year, radioactive waste, such as concrete, metal and old protective overalls, was moved to the final disposal facility of the Loviisa nuclear power plant.
The used but still usable nuclear fuel, on the other hand, was transferred for further use to a reactor in the United States already in 2020.
Between 1962 and 2015, two generations of Finnish and Swedish professionals in nuclear technology were trained with the help of the small reactor in Otaniemi. The reactor was also used in experimental cancer treatment in its last years.
Dismantle however, there was a long preparation and permit process.
Already in 2012, it was decided to decommission the reactor. The decision was followed by an environmental impact assessment process.
In 2015, the reactor was shut down. Then began his own permit process for the decommissioning of the entire reactor, as well as the design of the shredder itself. The old nuclear fuel was transported to the United States five years after decommissioning.
The total price for decommissioning – 24 million euros – accrued above all from many other expense items than the crushing itself.
“Costs related to the maintenance of used fuel, official fees, rent, salaries of our own personnel…” Airila enumerates.
The nuclear reactor had its doors open in 1972. Tomi Lintonen and Timo Leppänen from Iivisnieme, Espoo, got to try out a mechanical grab moved with lever arms.
VTT has now acquired expertise in nuclear power plant demolition in Finland, which it can use with foreign customers. Currently, the research center is involved in shutting down a reactor located in the Baltic Sea region, the exact location of which Airila does not reveal.
“Power plant demolition projects are quite large. If there is even a small area of expertise, as we have accumulated strong expertise in a narrow area, then it can be quite a significant assignment”, Airila opens.
“One percent of a 500 million or one billion euro project is a significant amount of money.”
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