Co-operation with Eastern Europe
The nuclear power plants designed in the former USSR lack certain safety systems. That is why many presume that especially the oldest Soviet facilities are the most dangerous ones. Consequently, it is thought that the facilities equipped with the safety systems of western type are less risky. The truth is not so black and white. The most important factors in the safety of the nuclear power plant are the basic structure of the facility, quality of equipment and operational personnel.
The Leningrad nuclear power plant is situated in Sosnovy Bor. Sosnovy Bor is 80 km to the west of St. Petersburg. Leningrad NPP has four RBMK type reactors. The operation of Leningrad NPP was never investigated thoroughly enough with reliable and detailed failure and accident analyses. According to the generally accepted expert assessment, the facility is susceptible to various kinds of disruptions. Although the worst faults of the reactor type were eliminated after the Chernobyl accident in 1986, the use of RBMK reactors still seems to require constant vigilance.
The Kola nuclear power plant is situated 80 km to the east of the Finnish border near Salla. Kola NPP has four VVER type reactors. With regard to the facility structures, Kola NPP is of the same reliable basic type as Loviisa NPP. The biggest problems are caused by the inadequate quality of the facilities. Furthermore, two oldest units lack essential safety systems.
At both near-border facilities a considerable risk is created by the unfavourable placing of the equipment and systems. This may cause a loss of important safety functions in quite routine situations.
In the Kola Peninsula, there is a huge concentration of nuclear-powered vessels. The majority of these vessels are out of use. The storage and maintenance arrangements for spend fuel and other radioactive waste originated from the vessels are extremely defective. However, the consequences of a possible accident would be local.
In Finland the first suggestions to estimate and improve the safety of nearby Soviet nuclear facilities were made in 1990. The bilateral co-operation between Finnish and Russian organisations was then shaped on the basis of STUK's proposals and the support to Eastern Europe was begun in 1992. From the beginning of the 1998, the total responsibility of the management of co-operation has been centred in STUK.
Finland supports non-proliferation, and the rationalisation and development of the international control of nuclear materials. After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, there are new states which have nuclear materials in their possession or area. These countries should develop reliable national systems of nuclear materials control. In the framework of the Support to Eastern Europe, Finland has established safeguards support programmes for the Russian Federation, the Baltic States and Ukraine.
Finnish and nearby nuclear power plants.
