Unit 3 Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant

1 unit 3

1.1 timeline
1.2 construction delays
1.3 cost
1.4 criticism

unit 3

olkiluoto 3 in 2009.

in february 2005, finnish cabinet gave permission tvo construct new nuclear reactor, making finland first western european country in 15 years order one. construction of unit began in 2005. start of commercial operation planned 2010, has been pushed several times. of august 2017, estimate start of production december 2018.

olkiluoto 3 first epr, type of third generation pwr, have gone construction. have nameplate capacity of 1600 mw. japan steel works , mitsubishi heavy industries manufactured unit s 526-ton reactor pressure vessel.

at start of construction, main contractor areva np, joint venture of areva , siemens. however, in 2009, siemens sold one-third share of areva np areva, main contractor. siemens remained on project subcontractor main responsibility constructing turbine hall. areva in negotiations sell majority stake in areva np, nuclear reactor , fuel business, Électricité de france.

according tvo, construction phase of project create total of 30,000 person-years of employment directly , indirectly; highest number of on-site employees has been 4,400; , operation phase create 150 200 permanent jobs.

timeline

construction delays

the first license application third unit made in december 2000 , date of unit s entry service estimated 2010. however, since start of construction, several delays schedule have been announced. in july 2012 tvo announced unit not go service before 2015, 5 years after original estimate. in statement, operator said not pleased situation although solutions various problems being found , work progressing , , waiting new launch date areva , siemens. in february 2014, tvo said not give estimate of plant s startup date, because still waiting areva-siemen [sic] consortium provide updated overall schedule project. later same month reported areva shutting down construction due dispute on compensations , unfinished automation planning. according kauppalehti estimated opening delayed until 2018–2020.

the delays have been due various problems planning, supervision, , workmanship, , have been subject of inquiry stuk, finnish nuclear safety regulator. first problems surfaced irregularities in foundation concrete, , caused delay of months. later, found subcontractors had provided heavy forgings not project standards , had re-cast. apparent problem constructing reactor s unique double-containment structure caused delays, welders had not been given proper instructions.

in 2009, petteri tiippana, director of stuk s nuclear power plant division, told bbc difficult deliver nuclear power plant projects on schedule because builders not used working exacting standards required on nuclear construction sites, since few new reactors had been built in recent years.

at end of 2013, tvo said areva-siemens consortium plans reduce workers , subcontractors on construction site , says expects contractor provide details expected impact on project s schedule.

after construction of unit started in 2005, areva began constructing eprs in flamanville, france, , in taishan, china. however, of july 2012, construction of epr in france 4 years behind schedule, , seems 2 eprs being constructed in china first ones enter service.

cost

the main contractor, areva, building unit fixed price of €3 billion, in principle, construction costs above price fall on areva. in july 2012, overruns estimated @ more €2 billion, , in december 2012, areva estimated full cost of building reactor €8.5 billion, on previous estimate of €6.4 billion. because of delays, tvo , areva both seeking compensation each other through international court of arbitration. in october 2013, tvo s demand compensation areva had risen €1.8 billion, , areva s tvo €2.6 billion. in december 2013, areva increased demand €2.7 billion. of november 2016, case still ongoing.

according estimates, olkiluoto reactor fifth or sixth expensive structure in world, more expensive large hadron collider in switzerland.

criticism

in 2009, professor stephen thomas wrote, olkiluoto has become example of can go wrong in economic terms new reactors, , areva , tvo in bitter dispute on bear cost overruns , there real risk utility default.

the project has been criticized stuk because instructions have not been observed in welding of pipes , supervision of welding. stuk has noted there have been delays in submitting proper paperwork.

olkiluoto 3 supposed first reactor of 3+ generation pave way new wave of identical reactors across europe, safe, affordable, , delivered on time. delays , cost overruns have had knock-on effects in other countries.

the construction workforce includes 3,800 employees 500 companies. 80% of workers foreigners, eastern european countries. has been reported 1 bulgarian contracting firm owned mafia, , bulgarian workers have been required pay weekly protection fees mafia, wages have been unpaid, employees have been told not join union , employers reneged on social security payments.