Olkiluoto 3: installation of heavy components of the primary cooling system complete

Press release

ACTIVITIES / REACTORS & SERVICES

November 08, 2011

The Olkiluoto 3 (OL3) EPR™ reactor project in Finland met a major milestone this autumn with the installation of the fourth and last pump of the primary cooling system and its connection to the auxiliary piping and onsite power system.

The successful completion of this work marks the end of the installation of the reactor’s nuclear steam supply system, which circulates, in a closed system and under pressure, the water heated by the nuclear fuel.

The primary cooling system of the OL3 EPR™ reactor consists of four identical cooling loops connected to the reactor vessel, each with a steam generator, a pump and related piping. The entire cooling system is connected to a single pressurizer, which keeps the water under pressure.

The final installation of the heavy components of the primary cooling system, a few months after completion of civil engineering work, is a major step forward in the construction of the world’s first generation 3 reactor, now more than 80% complete.