Finland's nuclear safety regulator STUK recommended on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, that an operating license be granted to the Onkalo nuclear waste storage facility.
The recommendation opens the way for a government decision that would make Onkalo the first permanent storage site in the world for spent nuclear fuel.
Posiva, which owns Onkalo, is a subsidiary of utility companies Fortum and Teollisuuden Voima. The company plans to bury spent nuclear fuel at a depth of about 400 meters below the surface.
Finland approved construction of the project in 2015. STUK said in a statement that the safety requirements for granting an operating license have been met.
Government and licensing timeline
Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment announced that STUK's assessment allows the government to proceed with the operating license application. According to STUK, Posiva has applied for a license covering operations until the end of 2070.
STUK said this marks the first time worldwide that a geological final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel has advanced to the operating license phase.
Sweden's parallel project
Sweden began construction of its own final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel in 2025. That facility is expected to receive its first nuclear waste at the end of 2030.
