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Report of Radioactive Coolant Leak from the Largest Nuclear Reactor in Europe
TVO has confirmed that 100 cubic metres of radioactive coolant leaked during maintenance, although the incident is considered low risk to safety.
About 100 cubic metres of radioactive coolant leaked from Olkiluoto 3, the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, as reported by its operator, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO).
The leak occurred during the reactor’s annual maintenance shutdown on a Friday, linked to the filling of the reactor pool.
TVO explained that the coolant escaped into containment rooms that are sealed off from the outside environment and into the facility's floor drain system.
They stressed that there was no threat to personnel, the environment, or overall nuclear safety as a result of the leak.
The company identified human error as the cause of the leak, specifically noting that a hatch for the pool had not been properly secured.
According to TVO, the leak’s impact on radiation safety was deemed low due to the safety protocols that were in place.
Despite the leak incident, TVO assured that it would not influence the planned duration of the reactor's annual outage, which is scheduled to continue until May.
Olkiluoto 3 is a next-generation European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) developed by a consortium led by Areva and Siemens.
It provides over 10 percent of Finland’s electricity supply.
The reactor has encountered several challenges, including construction delays and substantial cost overruns, akin to other EPR initiatives.
Although Olkiluoto 3 is the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, with its six reactors, is acknowledged as the largest nuclear power facility on the continent.
The leak occurred during the reactor’s annual maintenance shutdown on a Friday, linked to the filling of the reactor pool.
TVO explained that the coolant escaped into containment rooms that are sealed off from the outside environment and into the facility's floor drain system.
They stressed that there was no threat to personnel, the environment, or overall nuclear safety as a result of the leak.
The company identified human error as the cause of the leak, specifically noting that a hatch for the pool had not been properly secured.
According to TVO, the leak’s impact on radiation safety was deemed low due to the safety protocols that were in place.
Despite the leak incident, TVO assured that it would not influence the planned duration of the reactor's annual outage, which is scheduled to continue until May.
Olkiluoto 3 is a next-generation European Pressurized Water Reactor (EPR) developed by a consortium led by Areva and Siemens.
It provides over 10 percent of Finland’s electricity supply.
The reactor has encountered several challenges, including construction delays and substantial cost overruns, akin to other EPR initiatives.
Although Olkiluoto 3 is the largest nuclear reactor in Europe, the Zaporizhzhia plant in Ukraine, with its six reactors, is acknowledged as the largest nuclear power facility on the continent.
