Finland has made history by granting an operating license to the world’s first deep geological repository for nuclear waste. The decision marks a major breakthrough in the decades-long effort to find a permanent solution for spent nuclear fuel, although final disposal cannot begin until the facility passes further safety checks.
The Finnish Government issued the license to Posiva on October 22, 2026, for its encapsulation and final disposal facility at Olkiluoto. The company describes the decision as the first operating license of its kind anywhere in the world. The project has been developed over more than 40 years.
A Deep Geological Repository for Nuclear Waste
Known as ONKALO, the facility is located at Olkiluoto in southwestern Finland. It is designed to isolate spent nuclear fuel deep within stable bedrock, using several barriers to prevent radioactive material from reaching people or the surrounding environment.
The system combines sealed canisters made with copper shells and cast-iron inserts, bentonite clay, and the surrounding rock. These barriers work together to contain the spent fuel over very long periods.
Posiva says the facility is designed to accommodate approximately 6,500 tonnes of spent nuclear fuel from Finnish nuclear power plants. The waste will be transferred from interim storage, encapsulated, and then placed in underground disposal tunnels over several decades.
The Licence Does Not Mean Disposal Starts Immediately
Posiva must complete the remaining commissioning work, including tests and inspections. Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, known as STUK, must verify and approve the necessary steps before disposal operations can begin. The company has not announced a firm start date.
The license follows a favorable safety assessment issued by STUK on August 4, 2026. The assessment found that the facility met the safety requirements relevant to granting an operating license.
The license is intended to cover a long operational period. Finland’s government said in August that the application could be approved through the end of 2070, and Posiva subsequently announced that the license had been granted.
A Long-Term Challenge for Nuclear Energy
Spent nuclear fuel remains radioactive long after it leaves a reactor. Countries have therefore had to find ways to manage it safely across timescales far beyond the life of a power plant.
Finland’s approach is based on deep geological disposal rather than indefinite reliance on surface or interim storage. The project is being closely watched by countries developing their own long-term solutions for spent nuclear fuel.
The license is a landmark, but the next steps remain subject to regulatory oversight. Final disposal can begin only after Posiva completes commissioning and STUK confirms that the facility is ready to operate safely.
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