Construction Restarts at Olkiluoto Nuclear Plant

Concrete pouring was suspended in January after inspections raised concerns about the material mixing plant and the training of construction workers on the site. Also, some of the deliveries of concrete were deemed sub-standard.

The station, which will house Finland's fifth nuclear power production unit, is being built by a consortium consisting of Framatome and Siemens for the private electricity generation company Teollisuuden Voima (TVO).

TVO is in charge of the construction project, and also mixed the concrete at its own concrete plant. The parent company of the concrete sub-contractor had an independent analysis carried out which shows the irregularities had no effect on the hardness or soundness of the concrete.

After a re-inspection on Wednesday, the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority said that quality control was up to standard.

TVO is building the third reactor unit for the Olkiluoto plant, which already has two reactors. The facility construction will be Finland's fifth, and is likely to be completed in 2010. Construction was already an estimated six months behind schedule before the foundation had to be inspected.