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Onkalo

repository Finland construction

Onkalo is a repository facility operated by Posiva Oy in Finland. Its capacity is not publicly disclosed.

The first deep geological repository for spent nuclear fuel anywhere, 400 metres down in Olkiluoto granite, using copper canisters in bentonite clay. Construction is complete and the encapsulation plant has been tested with dummy fuel; it awaits an operating licence, with emplacement expected to begin in 2026. Sweden's Forsmark repository, using the same KBS-3 method, is the second to start construction.

Facility
StageBack end
OperatorPosiva Oy
CountryFinland
Capacity not disclosed
Figure applies to
Note on the figureLicensed for roughly 6,500 tU of spent fuel over its operating life.
Statusconstruction
Commissioned2026
Coordinates61.2350, 21.4800
Position in the chain

No disclosed capacity, so its share of world repository capacity cannot be stated.

Other repository facilities

FacilityCapacityStatus
Yucca Mountain 70,000tHM total closed
Forsmark spent fuel repository (KBS-3) not disclosed construction
Cigéo not disclosed planned
Canadian deep geological repository not disclosed planned
Nördlich Lägern not disclosed planned
Waste Isolation Pilot Plant not disclosed operating

Sources