The call comes after a Finnish TV current affairs programme broadcast details yesterday evening of a leaked letter from Finnish nuclear regulator STUK to Areva, the French constructor of the Olkiluoto 3 plant. The letter warns of a lack of 'real progress' in the 'design of control protection systems', which could lead to a halt in further construction work.(1)
Electronic control systems are among the most essential components of a nuclear power plant. They control everything in a reactor, from power levels to control rods and cooling systems, and are essential for ensuring the safety mechanisms of the reactor. Compliance of the design of the electronic control system designs with nuclear regulations should have been a precondition for the construction permit for the reactor, granted in 2005.
"We sounded the alarm bells back in 2005 that the design of the French prototype reactor was insufficient and that compliance with nuclear regulations could not be ascertained," said Lauri Myllyvirta, Greenpeace Nordic's Energy Campaigner in Finland. "Areva has taken full advantage of the naïveté of the Finnish authorities and has cut corners at every phase of the construction."
The letter, sent to Areva's CEO Anne Lauvergeon in December 2008 by STUK's Director General Jukka Laaksonen, indicates a serious lack of professionalism in the building of the Olkiluoto 3 reactor, claiming that 'the attitude or lack of professional knowledge' of Areva's representatives 'prevents progress in resolving the concerns, and design errors are not being corrected'. According to the letter, STUK is still waiting for Areva to provide a 'proper design that meets the basic principles of nuclear safety'.
"Areva never misses an opportunity to promote its unfinished nuclear reactor worldwide as safe, but apparently the essential safety features only exist in Areva's sales brochures," said Aslihan Tumer, Greenpeace International Energy Campaigner. "This should serve as a wake-up call for other countries still considering doing business with Areva."
These revelations are just the latest blow in a series to hit the Olkiluoto 3 reactor since construction began four years ago. Faced with continuous problems, it is now three years behind schedule and 50% over budget. Time and time again, serious problems are being uncovered, yet the company remains silent. In light of this latest scandal, Greenpeace is calling for the construction permit to be cancelled.
Other contacts: Lauri Myllyvirta, Greenpeace Nordic Energy Campaigner in Finland: +358 50 3625 981
Aslihan Tumer, Greenpeace International Energy Campaigner:
+31 6 461 62022
Notes: 1. A full copy of the leaked letter is available online at the Greenpeace weblog.