On May 16, 2024, Finland's TVO Power company announced that Unit 3 of its Olkiluoto nuclear power plant had been successfully restarted after a complete overhaul. This important milestone means that in 2023, the three units of the Olkiluoto nuclear Power plant will collectively provide approximately 31% of the country's electricity needs, continuing to contribute to Finland's energy supply and sustainable development.

The Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant, located on the Finnish island of Olkiluoto, dates back to 1978, when Unit 1 was successfully connected to the grid, followed by Unit 2 in 1980. In particular, Olkiluoto 3 is the world's first nuclear power plant built using EPR technology, and it is located in the Olkiluoto region on the southwest coast of Finland.

At 3:22 a.m. on December 21, 2021, it was a historic moment for the Olkiluoto nuclear Power Plant. On this day, Unit 3 successfully reached criticality for the first time, marking an important technical and safety breakthrough for the unit and adding a new chapter to the nuclear power industry in Finland and the world. The overhaul of the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant is scheduled to last 37 days. In practice, the shutdown process took longer than expected, loading preparation was delayed, and additional technical challenges resulted in the overall overhaul time being extended to 74 days. This reflects the uncertainties and challenges that can be encountered in complex technical operations.

The Olkiluoto 3 nuclear power plant is the first nuclear power project in the world to be built with EPR technology, and the success of this overhaul proves the feasibility and reliability of this technology. The completion of the overhaul also helps improve the efficiency and reliability of the plant, reducing future repairs and downtime, thereby reducing operating costs and environmental impact. This is of great significance for promoting the development of clean energy and addressing climate change.Editor/Zhang Liyuan