The much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) nuclear reactor in Finland, which is the largest in Europe, will start producing regularly on Sunday, according to its operator. This would increase energy security in an area where Russia has cut off gas and power supplies.
News of OL3’s start-up comes as Germany switches off its final three reactors on Saturday, while Sweden, France, Britain, and other countries plan new projects.
According to OL3’s operator Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), the unit is anticipated to supply 14% of Finland’s electricity demand, reducing the country’s reliance on imports from Sweden and Norway. TVO is controlled by Finnish utility Fortum and a group of energy and industrial firms.
The 1.6 gigawatt (GW) reactor, Finland’s first brand-new nuclear plant in more than 40 years and the first in Europe in 16 years, started construction in 2005.
According to economists, Finland, the only Nordic nation with a significant power deficit, can anticipate cheaper electricity bills as a result of the startup.
Last May, when Russian utility Inter RAO claimed it hadn’t been paid for the energy it sold, Russia’s electricity exports to Finland came to an end. This was due to the growing divide between Moscow and Europe over the conflict in Ukraine.
