Olkiluoto Ready for OL4 Project

TVO has carried out an environmental impact assessment procedure for OL4 nuclear plant unit. In the assessment there were studied the environmental impacts of a new nuclear plant unit together with existing units. Olkiluoto fulfills the requirements set for the power plant site of several units. Infrastructure and the supporting functions existing in area can be expanded for the utility of the new unit. Environmental impacts were studied of construction, operation and dismantling phases. Assessment included also nuclear fuel production and disposal of used nuclear fuel. Information about the impacts arising during construction phase is received by experience of the OL3 project. The most significant impact during normal operation was noticed to be the heat load of cooling waters to the sea area. According to a resident survey done during the assessment procedure the new project is supported in the area. The processing of the decision-in-principle application, which TVO submitted on 25 April 2008, has started at Ministry of Employment and the Economy. (author)