Finland Opens World's First Permanent Nuclear Waste Cave

Finland is on the verge of opening Onkalo, a deep geological repository designed for the permanent storage of spent nuclear fuel. This facility, named "cave" in Finnish, is nearing completion in Eurajoki, southwest Finland, and is blasted into 1.9 billion-year-old bedrock.

Construction began in 2004, with an estimated cost of one billion euros. The repository is intended to house spent fuel from Finland's five nuclear reactors, with space for 6,500 tons of uranium. It is designed for safe storage for at least 100,000 years.

The waste, currently cooling in water pools, will be encased in corrosion-resistant copper canisters. These will then be buried in tunnels, sealed with bentonite clay and concrete plugs. Experts have assessed long-term risks, including corrosion and seismic activity during ice ages.

While some opposition existed locally, Onkalo has garnered broader support in Finland, with public backing for nuclear power at a historical high. The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority is expected to give final approval in June, paving the way for an operating license.