Transport of radioactive material
Fresh fuel is delivered to Finnish nuclear power plants (NPP) about four times per year. Fresh fuel is uranium dioxide which is not significantly radioactive, contrary to highly radioactive spent fuel removed from the reactor of a plant. Spent fuel from the Loviisa NPP has been transported to Russia using containers and transport equipment designed specially for this purpose. These deliveries have been stopped because nowadays the Nuclear Energy Act stipulates that nuclear waste produced in Finland must be permanently disposed in Finland. The Nuclear Energy Act also forbids the processing, storage, or disposal of foreign nuclear wastes in Finland. The ban does not apply to small amounts used for research purposes. Spent fuel from the Loviisa NPP is planned to be transported to Olkiluoto for final disposal. Finland follows the international regulations for the transport of dangerous goods. As far as radioactive material is of concern, these regulations are based on IAEA standard IAEA Safety Standard Series No. TS-R-1. A transport plan including relevant security arrangements is required for nuclear shipments in Finland. This plan shall be approved in advance by STUK. STUK has also prepared (in Finnish) for domestic shipments of radioactive material. Page updated 09/07/2010
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