after twelve years of waiting, the EPR Olkiluoto-3 nuclear reactor commissioned

Published on : 12/03/2022 – 22:03

As a symbol of the return to grace of nuclear power in Europe, the new reactor inaugurated this Saturday, March 12 will allow Finland to strengthen its electrical independence and lower the price of the kilowatt-hour.

With our correspondent in Stockholm, Frederic False

Like its French twin of Flamanvillewhich is still not in service, the EPR (Evolutionary Power Reactor) Finnish has known many vicissitudes. After twelve years of delay, this new generation reactor, using French technology, has finally been connected to the electricity grid and should eventually supply 14% of the country’s electricity.

For Finland, it’s a day that will count. The only Nordic country to experience a large energy deficit, it will be able to lower the price of its electricity, limit its imports from Sweden and Norway, and above all reduce its dependence on Russia. Another advantage: Finland will also reduce its CO2 emissions. It is for this reason that environmentalists – a rarity in Europe – are not up once morest this EPR.

« In our new statement of principles, we don’t mention nuclear at all, we just say that we want the development of any technology that is low-carbon and pro-environmental. “, explains Veli Liikanen, secretary general of the Finnish environmental party Green League.

► To read also: Finland starts its EPR nuclear reactor 12 years late

This commissioning also challenges Europe, which is wondering regarding its energy dependence and climate change. This EPR, baptized Olkiluoto-3, when it will run at full speed next July, will then be the most powerful nuclear reactor in Europe. The first to be inaugurated on the continent, for 15 years.

► To read also: Nuclear energy in eight questions