New nuclear power plant construction project Overall description This is an overall description of the Fennovoima nuclear power plant project as required in section 13 of the Nuclear Energy Act, inspected and approved by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. It is to be distributed to households and municipal offices in the following municipalities: Alavieska, Artjärvi, Askola, Ii, Kalajoki, Kemi, Keminmaa, Kotka; Elimäki and Anjalankoski (now merged with the town of Kouvola), Lapinjärvi, Liljendal, Loviisa, Merijärvi, Myrskylä, Oulainen, Pernaja, Porvoo, Pyhtää, Pyhäjoki, Raahe, Ranua, Ruotsinpyhtää, Siikajoki, Simo, Tervola, Tornio, Vihanti, Ylivieska. Copies of this overall description may be ordered from Fennovoima ([email protected]). There is an online version available at the Fennovoima website (fennovoima.fi). Contents Statement by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy on the overall description ......................................................................................... 3 Foreword .......................................................................................................................... 4 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 5 Fennovoima......................................................................................................................6 General signifi cance and necessity of the Fennovoima nuclear power plant project .................................................................................................... 8 Project implementation .................................................................................................14 Environment ................................................................................................................... 16 Alternative sites for the nuclear power plant ..............................................................18 Technology .....................................................................................................................20 Nuclear fuel and nuclear waste management ............................................................ 21 Safety .............................................................................................................................. 22 Public hearing and contact information ...................................................................... 23 Frequently asked questions What will be the benefi ts of the nuclear power plant to Finland and to the community where it is located? pp. 11-12 How will the site be selected? p. 18 Where will the spent nuclear fuel be stored? p. 21 How will the safety of the nuclear power plant be ensured? p. 22 How can citizens infl uence the project? p. 23 This publication is the overall description of the Fennovoima nuclear power plant pro- ject required in section 13 of the Nuclear Energy Act. It is based on the application for a decision-in-principle submitted by Fennovoima and has been inspected and appro- ved by the Ministry of Employment and the Economy. The application process, submitting of opinions and timetable are detailed on the last page. The Fennovoima application is available in Finnish, Swedish and English at the company website (fennovoima.fi ). 2 Foreword Dear reader, In January 2009, Fennovoima submitted an appli- We have local offi ces in Pyhäjoki, Ruotsinpyhtää cation for a decision-in-principle for the construc- and Simo. We warmly welcome all local residents tion of a new nuclear power plant to the Finnish to visit our offi ces to fi nd out more about Fen- Government. A decision is expected in 2010. novoima. Contact information is given in this publication. The alternative sites for the new power plant are in Pyhäjoki, Ruotsinpyhtää and Simo. Until the Fennovoima’s shareholders are 63 Finnish busi- fi nal selection is made, Fennovoima will continue nesses and power companies, and E.ON Nordic. preparing the project in all three municipalities. Dialogue with local residents is a key factor. Fen- Fennovoima shareholders need the electricity that novoima has held several public briefi ngs in all the new power plant will produce to safeguard three municipalities. The formal public hearings their operating potential and the jobs they provide of the Ministry of Employment and the Economy in Finland. At the moment, they are not self-suffi - regarding the application will be held in May. cient and have to buy electricity on the open mar- ket. Fennovoima will increase competition on the This overall description of the Fennovoima proj- Finnish electricity market, which will ultimately ect, distributed to households in and around the benefi t all Finnish consumers. relevant municipalities, forms part of the public hearing process. It explains how the application Fennovoima will bring jobs and vitality for de- progresses, how and at what point citizens can cades to the municipality eventually selected. The participate in the process, and where further in- tax revenue generated will benefi t the entire area. formation is available. Information is available from the Ministry of Employment and Economy I hope this publication addresses any questions (TEM), the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Author- you may have. If you want to know more, do not ity (STUK) and Fennovoima. The application for hesitate to contact us. a decision-in-principle and the environmental im- pact assessment report are available in full at our Respectfully yours, website. Tapio Saarenpää CEO Fennovoima Oy 4 Introduction Fennovoima Oy has submitted an application Please quote the registration number for a Government decision-in-principle concern- 49/815/2009 and give the name and contact ing the construction of a new nuclear power details of the person or corporation submitting plant in Finland. the opinion. There are three alternative sites for the Nuclear The Government will decide whether the Fen- Power Plant: Hanhikivi in Pyhäjoki, Gäddbergsö novoima project is in the overall interests of in Ruotsinpyhtää and Karsikko in Simo. One of society. Approval of the application requires these sites will be selected for the project. The a favorable statement from the municipality plant to be constructed will have a rated output in which the plant is to be constructed. Also, of 1,500 to 2,500 MW and will consist of one a preliminary statement that the project can Simo or two light-water reactor nuclear power plant be safely implemented is required from STUK. Pyhäjoki units. Electricity production should begin by If the Government approves the application, 2020. The planned service life of the plant is 60 the decision-in-principle will be submitted to years. Parliament, which may approve or reject it. Fennovoima submitted its application to the This publication is the overall description of Ministry of Employment and the Economy in the Fennovoima nuclear power plant project January 2009. The Ministry is obtaining state- required by the Nuclear Energy Act. It is based Ruotsinpyhtää ments from other ministries, authorities and the on the application for a decision-in-principle relevant municipalities. Citizens and corpora- submitted by Fennovoima and has been inspect- tions may submit their opinions to the Ministry ed and approved by the Ministry of Employ- Alternative sites for the in writing. The Ministry will also be holding for- ment and the Economy. Fennovoima nuclear power mal public hearings in the three relevant munic- plant. ipalities this spring (see p. 23). Written opinions The Fennovoima application is available in on the application should be submitted by post Finnish, Swedish and English at the company by June 15, 2009 to the Ministry of Employment website (fennovoima.fi ). Related documents are and the Economy, PO Box 23, 00023 Valtioneu- also available at the Ministry website (tem.fi ). vosto, or by e-mail to kuuleminen@tem.fi . 5 Fennovoima A new Finnish nuclear power company Fennovoima is a Finnish company founded in Its parent company is Voimaosakeyhtiö SF, 2007. Its purpose is to construct a new nuclear which owns 66% of its shares. E.ON Nordic has power plant in Finland. Its shareholders will a 34% holding. The owners of Voimaosakeyhtiö be entitled to the electricity it produces at cost SF are trade and industry companies operating price, in proportion to their holdings. The in Finland such as Boliden, Kesko, Outokumpu, shareholders will also fi nance the project and Ovako, Rautaruukki and SOK, and local energy cover its costs in similar proportion. Fenno- companies such as Imatran Seudun Sähkö, voima will not aim to generate profi ts. Jyväskylän Energia, Kuopion Energia, Lahti Energia, Turku Energia and Vantaan Energia. Sectors in which Fennovoima shareholders operate: Food industry Chemical industry Energy industry Metal industry Trade and services Construction material industry Registered offices of the energy company shareholders 6 55% 45% Ownership structure of Fennovoima Regional and local Finnish industrial, energy companies retail and service enterprises 66% 34% Voimaosakeyhtiö SF E.ON Nordic Fennovoima has 64 shareholders AGA Kotkan Energia Porvoon Energia Alajärven Sähkö Kruunupyyn Sähkölaitos Rantakairan Sähkö Atria KSS Energia Rauman Energia Boliden Harjavalta Kuopion Energia Rautaruukki Boliden Kokkola Kuoreveden Sähkö Rovakairan Tuotanto Componenta Köyliön-Säkylän Sähkö Sallila Energia E.ON Nordic Lahti Energia Seinäjoen Energia Esse Elektro-Kraft Lankosken Sähkö SOK Etelä-Savon Energia Lehtimäen Sähkö Tammisaaren Energia Finnfoam Leppäkosken