Finland’s ‘very pricy’ nuclear reactor in trouble again

Finland’s fifth and largest nuclear power reactor, Olkiluoto 3, saw its output drop to zero due to a turbine failure on Monday, yet another setback for the reactor still in the trial phase but already supplying the country’s grid.

Built by the French-led Areva-Siemens AG consortium, the 1.6 Gigawatt reactor was supposed to be operational in 2009.

The malfunction did not affect the reactor, and safety was not at risk, the reactor’s operator, Teollisuuden Voima (TVO), said on Monday.

Reasons behind the failure are being investigated, and test production continues, but only at a 60% capacity level, the company announced.

The malfunction is one of many setbacks that has made costs for the plant balloon from the initially estimated €3 billion to €11 billion.

This year, however, the reactor began producing electricity after facing a series of component problems, technical issues and compensation claims.

Full capacity is expected to be reached in December, with the reactor hoped to produce up to 15% of electricity – an important figure as Finland, along with other EU member states, is gearing up to avoid power cuts this winter.

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