The Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency (TUKES) has granted a chemical permit for the large-scale handling and storage of hazardous chemicals required at the Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant being built by Russia’s Rosatom for Finnish energy company Fennovoima. The appeal period for the chemical authorisation has now started.
The permit applies to the large-scale storage and use of chemicals during the operation of Hanhikivi 1. The nuclear power plant stores and uses hazardous chemicals for, among other things, the management of water chemistry, cleaning processes, generator cooling and as fuel for backup generators.
Radioactive substances are excluded from the scope of the Chemical Safety Act, so radiation safety is not taken into account in the licensing. Radiation safety is monitored by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK).
The permit decision contains 12 terms and conditions concerning:
- the quantities of hazardous chemicals stored on the company's premises;
- the storage of chemicals and the design, testing and manufacture of tanks
- storage of fuel oil and diesel;
- fire protection of storage, transfer, handling and handling equipment for flammable liquids;
- design, risk assessment and construction of pipelines for hazardous chemicals;
- taking into account the results of fire modelling of chemical accidents prepared for the NPP in the location and design of the permanent structures of the plant;
- safe exit of chemical storage tanks in the event of an accident;
- updating the explosion protection document when more detailed plans are completed;
- the appointment of at least one administrator for the installation;
- training of workers on the properties, safe handling and operation of hazardous chemicals used in a nuclear power plant in the event of an accident;
- regular training in operations in the event of a chemical accident; and
- preparation of a safety data sheet for the public before the plant is put into service.
Fennovoima submitted an application for a chemical permit in February 2020 and completed the application in July. During the hearing in July-August, citizens had the opportunity to express their views on the application.
The appeal period for the chemical authorisation is ongoing. The decision document will be available on TUKES website until until 14 February.
Photo: Proposed Hanhikivi 1 nuclear power plant (Credit: Fennovoima)
