Licensing and supervision of nuclear facilities in Finland

In Finland, the licensing process of all nuclear facilities is specified in the Nuclear Energy Act. The licensing procedure comprises three steps, each of which requires a decision by the government: basic decision, construction permit, and operating license. All licensing decisions are taken upon application to the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The Ministry invites comments and opinions on a broad basis and drafts a statement for the government. The basic decision by the government is political, pre-supposing a positive statement by the Central Office for Nuclear Safety (STUK) and a positive decision by the local government of the planned plant location. The construction permit and the operating license are mainly based on points of nuclear safety. STUK is the independent nuclear supervisory agency with administrative powers; its staff has the technical and scientific competence required for safety assessments and for supervision. STUK operates under the supervision of the Ministry for Social Affairs and Health which, to demonstrate its independence, has no duties in the energy sector and, in addition, supervises STUK in administrative matters, not in scientific and technical decisions. Internal rules of STUK ensure neutrality also of its staff in matters of energy policy. The activities of STUK as a supervisory and licensing authority in Finland are described in detail for the management of spent nuclear fuel and the new Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant currently under construction. (orig.)