STUK participates in the licensing of nuclear facilities

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STUK participates in the licensing of nuclear facilities

The use of nuclear energy is not permitted without the appropriate license.

An applicant for a license for a new nuclear facility must first draw up an environmental impact assessment, or EIA. After this, they can apply for a decision in principle. Once this has been obtained, they can apply for a construction license and, finally, an operating license. STUK’s duty is to ensure that the safety requirements of the project are fulfilled and to provide assessments and statements of the safety of the project during the various phases of the license process.

Main license phases during the life-cycle of a nuclear facility

The main licence phases during the life-cycle of a nuclear facility are environmental impact assessment (EIA procedure), investigations of applicability, decision-in-principle, preparation phase, construction licence, construction, operating licence and operation.

Participants in licensing

The licensing of a nuclear power plant is decided by the Government. The decision-in-principle is ratified by Parliament. The licence applicant files an application with the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment which administers the preparation phase. STUK oversees the applicant and issues a safety statement on the licence application with the help of expert organizations and the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety. The nuclear industry provides the applicant with the safety documents. STUK and the municipality where the site is to be located have a veto right on the licence application. During the preparation process, statements are also requested from the general public, other authorities and expert organizations.

 

Updated 17 Dec 2019