Finland nearing opening of world’s first permanent nuclear waste repository

What happened: Finland granted an operating licence for Onkalo, the world's first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel, waste management company Posiva said. The licence does not allow the facility to open yet. Key numbers: Capacity of 6,500 tonnes of uranium. Serves Finland's five nuclear reactors. Why it matters: Posiva said operations are expected to start soon, though no exact date is set. Commissioning tests must be verified and approved by STUK before final disposal begins. Finland is expected to be the first country to open such a facility.

Finland granted an operating licence for Onkalo, the world's first permanent underground repository for spent nuclear fuel, waste management company Posiva said. The licence does not allow the facility to open yet.

Posiva said operations are expected to start soon, though no exact date is set. Commissioning tests must be verified and approved by STUK before final disposal begins. Finland is expected to be the first country to open such a facility.