Malfunction at Finnish nuclear power plant Olkiluoto 2 – no release of radioactivity

Olkiluoto nuclear power plant

According to the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), a malfunction occurred at the Finnish nuclear power plant Olkiluoto at about 1 p.m. on 10 December 2020, leading to an emergency reactor shutdown in Unit 2 of the plant.

The reactor was shut down and the emergency procedures of the power plant operator and STUK were activated. All safety systems are reported to be operating perfectly.

Normal radiation levels in the vicinity of the power plant

According to the operator, increased radiation levels were detected in the main steam pipes inside the reactor building, but no radioactivity entered the environment and the radiological situation in the vicinity of the plant is normal.

According to STUK, there is currently no danger outside of the plant site and no need for protective measures.

Initial information reported by STUK indicates that the shutdown was triggered by a failure of the reactor water filter system. The coolant analysis reportedly supports the assumption that there was no damage to fuel elements.

No risk to the general public in Germany

The Federal Government was notified via the reporting channels of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The measuring network of the Federal Office for Radiation Protection (BfS) has not identified any indications of increased radioactivity in the territory of the Federal Republic.

There is no risk to the general public in Germany.