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“Finland Makes History: World’s First Geological Tomb for Nuclear Waste” “Finland’s Onkalo: A Sustainable Solution for Nuclear Waste”
The method involves encapsulating spent nuclear fuel in copper canisters, surrounded by a bentonite clay buffer, and placing them deep underground in stable bedrock.
“The message here is that we have a solution for spent fuel disposal, there’s no need for interim solutions anymore,” Tuohimaa said.
The deep geological disposal facility is located in the bedrock beneath the Olkiluoto island in Finland.
Credit: Posiva
According to Tuohimaa, Posiva has spent more than 500 million euros (about $550 million) on the Onkalo project so far, with the total cost expected to be around 1.5 billion euros (about $1.65 billion) by the time the facility is up and running.
“This is really a big project, it’s a huge investment,” he said, adding that Posiva’s owners, TVO and Fortum, had fully funded the project. “It’s worth it because the safety issue is something you can’t really put a price on.”
Law said that the Onkalo project was “an example of what can be achieved when a country and a people are committed to a certain goal.”
The challenge of long-term safety
One of the biggest challenges facing the Onkalo project is ensuring the long-term safety and security of the repository.
“The big question is how you can guarantee to the people living in Finland that this facility will be safe for the next 100,000 years,” Law said.
Posiva plans to seal the repository with concrete once it is full, with the entire facility expected to be closed by the year 2120.
The deep geological disposal facility in Finland is designed to safely store nuclear waste for 100,000 years.
Credit: Posiva
“The idea is that you seal the facility and then you basically forget about it,” Tuohimaa said. “It’s not a museum, it’s not something that you visit. It’s something that you close and then you leave it.”
He added that Posiva would continue to monitor the repository for thousands of years to come, using a combination of digital and physical methods to ensure the safety of the site.
Looking to the future
As Finland prepares to open the world’s first geological repository for spent nuclear fuel, the country is also looking to the future of nuclear energy.
“I think it’s going to be a very interesting time in the next 10 years or so, to see how the Onkalo project pans out and how that then affects the nuclear industry as a whole,” Law said.
Workers inspect the Repository in ONKALO, a deep geological disposal underground facility in Finland.
Credit: Posiva
Tuohimaa added that the success of the Onkalo project could pave the way for other countries to develop their own geological repositories for nuclear waste.
“Once we demonstrate that this can be done and it can be done safely, I think it’s going to be a game-changer for the whole nuclear industry,” he said.
Finland’s Onkalo project, a deep geological disposal underground facility designed to safely store nuclear waste, is making waves in the energy industry. The project showcases Finland’s ability to tackle global challenges, according to Finnish Climate Minister Kai Mykkänen.
Mykkänen believes that nuclear energy is crucial for Europe’s green deal and the transition away from fossil fuel electricity production in Asia and the U.S. The Onkalo project is seen as a sustainable solution for nuclear waste disposal, replacing more harmful energy sources.
The Finnish population, as well as those living near Onkalo, support the project as a way to address environmental concerns and promote clean energy. Mykkänen hopes that Onkalo will serve as a model for the rest of the world in handling nuclear waste effectively.
The key feature of the Onkalo project is its multiple barriers that ensure the safe isolation of radioactive waste. Even if one barrier were to fail, the overall integrity of the storage facility would not be compromised. This innovative approach demonstrates Finland’s commitment to addressing one of humanity’s top challenges.
The Onkalo project is not only a technological feat but also a symbol of Finland’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions. By showcasing the success of Onkalo, Finland hopes to inspire other countries to adopt similar practices for nuclear waste management.
Overall, the Onkalo project represents a significant step forward in the quest for safe and sustainable nuclear waste disposal. With its innovative design and robust safety measures, Onkalo sets a new standard for the industry and offers a promising solution to a pressing global issue.
