6th International Conference on Nuclear Option in Countries with Small • Dubr°Vr HR0600024 Nuclear Option in Electricity Production - Finnish Experience Antti Piirto TVO Nuclear Services Ltd 27160 Olkiluoto, Finland [email protected] Nuclear energy has played a key role in Finnish electricity production since the beginning of the 1980s. The load factors of nuclear power plants have been high, radioactive emissions low and the price of nuclear electricity competitive. In addition, detailed plans exist for the final disposal of nuclear waste as well as for the financing of final disposal, and the implementation of final disposal has already been started with the authorities regulating nuclear waste management arrangements at all levels. Deregulation of the electricity market has meant increasing trade and co-operation, with both the other Nordic countries and the other EU Member States. In May 2002, the Finnish Parliament approved the application for a decision in principle on the construction of the fifth nuclear power plant unit in Finland. In December 2003, Teollisuuden Voima Oy concluded an agreement for the supply of the new nuclear power plant unit with a consortium formed by the French- German Framatome ANP and the German Siemens. The new unit, which will be built at Olkiluoto, is a pressurised water reactor having a net electrical output of about 1600 MW. The total value of the project is ca. 3 billion Euros, including investments connected with the development of infrastructure and waste management. The objective is to connect the new unit to the national grid in 2009. When in operation, the unit will increase the share of nuclear energy of Finnish electricity consumption, currently some 26%, to a little more than one third, and decrease Finnish carbon dioxide emissions by more than 10%. This presentation provides an overview of the present status of nuclear power in Finland, of the new nuclear power project and the impact of the project. Keywords: nuclear option, Finland, nuclear power plant Invited Lectures.