Finnish nuclear reactor project 18 months behind schedule

WAR.WIRE

Finnish nuclear reactor project 18 months behind schedule
HELSINKI, Dec 4 (AFP) Dec 04, 2006
The construction in Finland of the world's first third-generation nuclear reactor is now 18 months behind schedule, Finnish energy company TVO said on Monday.

"Today's estimate is that the Olkiluoto 3 unit will be completed at the turn of 2010-2011," the head of the project Martin Landtman said in a statement.

The reactor, Finland's fifth, was initially due to be operational in mid-2009. Construction began in August 2005.

"Delays in the construction work and in manufacturing of the main coolant lines have (had) an effect on the time schedule of the project," Landtman said.

A consortium comprising Areva of France and German engineering giant Siemens is building the reactor.

In addition to the manufacturing problems, TVO said much of the delays were due to cumbersome certification procedures for parts and inspections by Finnish nuclear safety authority STUK.

In early 2006, the project also suffered a setback when the structure's concrete foundation proved to be leaking, which interrupted construction for eight weeks.