Finnish report on nuclear safety. Finnish 3rd national report as referred to in Article 5 of the Convention on Nuclear Safety

Finland signed on 20 September 1994 the Convention on Nuclear Safety which was adopted on 17 June 1994 Vienna Diplomatic Conference. The Convention was ratified on 5 January 1996, and it came into force in Finland on 24 October 1996. The first two review meetings were organized in 1999 and 2002. This report is the Finnish National Report for the Third Review Meeting in April 2005. There are two nuclear power plants in Finland: the Loviisa and Olkiluoto plants. The Loviisa plant comprises of two VVER units, operated by Fortum Power and Heat Oy, and the Olkiluoto plant two BWR units, operated by Teollisuuden Voima Oy. The Loviisa units were connected to the electrical network in 1977 (unit 1) and 1980 (unit 2) and the Olkiluoto units 1 and 2 in 1978 and 1980, respectively. The nominal reactor thermal power of the Loviisa units is 1500 MW and of the Olkiluoto units 2500 MW. At both sites there are interim storages for spent fuel as well as final repositories for medium and low level radioactive wastes. In the report, latest large safety reviews and plant modernization programmes are explained in detail including safety assessment methods and key results based on the Articles of Convention and related Finnish regulatory requirements. Safety performance of the Finnish nuclear power plants is also presented by using representative indicators. Finnish regulatory practices in licensing, provision of regulatory guidance, safety assessment, inspection and enforcement are also covered in detail. The Summary Report of the Second Review Meeting presents a list of topics where additional information is wished. These wishes have been taken into account in the report. The major developments in Finland since the Second Review Meeting are as follows: continuation of safety assessment and enhancement of Loviisa and Olkiluoto nuclear power plant units after the large modernization programmes at the end of 90'ies, development of regulatory practices such as development and updating of safety guides, and Decision-in-principle for a new nuclear power plant unit, Olkiluoto 3. The report also reflects operational safety issues and the recent developments in design, such as defence in depth and severe accident management issues. Latest development in the various topics of the Convention on Nuclear Safety is described. The issues requiring further development to enhance safety have been covered in Chapter 3 of the report including provision for plant ageing, qualification of non-destructive testing, and reliability of digital automation and management of competence. In the report, the implementation of each of the Articles 4 and 6 to 19 of the Convention is separately evaluated. Based on the evaluation it can be concluded that The Finnish regulatory infrastructure including nuclear and radiation regulations is in compliance with the Convention obligations; The regulatory practices comply with the Convention obligations; The licensee practices in provision of good safety performance and in modernization of old nuclear power plant units comply with the Convention obligations; and There are some issues requiring further development to enhance safety as discussed in the report. In conclusion, Finland has implemented the obligations of the Convention and also / therefore the objectives of the Convention are complied with. (orig.)