Finland has secured an operating license for Onkalo, the world's first permanent underground nuclear waste repository.
Finland just received an operating license for a new nuclear waste site. The government approved the project on Thursday. This facility is the first permanent underground repository for spent fuel in the world.
Also, the waste management company Posiva announced the news. The site bears the name Onkalo, which translates to cave in Finnish. It sits in the western part of the country.
However, the facility is not yet open to the public. Construction started 22 years ago, but officials have not set a start date. The company still needs to finish testing.
Next, the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority must verify all safety checks. CEO Ilkka Poikolainen called this a historic day for the nation. He expressed great pride in the project.
Meanwhile, the site will store spent fuel from five local reactors. It holds enough space for 6,500 tonnes of uranium. The facility provides a permanent solution for dangerous materials.
Furthermore, workers will place the fuel inside copper canisters. These containers resist corrosion very well. They will then lower these canisters into deep holes in the bedrock.
After that, crews will fill the holes with bentonite clay. They will seal the site with concrete plugs reinforced by steel. This process ensures long-term safety for the environment.
Still, the waste stays radioactive for thousands of years. Experts say it takes 100,000 years for the levels to drop. They will match the original uranium ore by that time.
Finally, other nations are also building similar storage sites. Sweden and France are working on their own facilities. Finland expects to be the first country to open one.
As a result, this project marks a major milestone for global energy. The total cost reached roughly $1.16 billion. Most nuclear waste currently stays in temporary storage areas worldwide.