In an unprecedented move in global waste management, Finland is set to seal an underground tunnel in 2025 for a staggering 100,000 years to store nuclear waste. Known as ‘Onkalo,’ this groundbreaking project is the world’s first of its kind, designed to isolate radioactive materials from the environment for millennia.
Located in Eurajoki on Finland’s west coast, the tunnel extends 1,500 feet underground. It will be sealed off from human access for 100,000 years and is specifically designed to safely contain spent nuclear fuel in cast-iron and copper canisters, further protected by layers of bentonite clay.
With a budget of £860 million, Onkalo showcases advanced engineering and scientific techniques to ensure that the waste remains secure, posing no threat to public safety or the local ecosystem. The project has drawn global attention, setting a precedent for future long-term solutions in nuclear waste management.
Posiva Oy, the company responsible for this monumental task, has made significant strides in addressing a long-standing environmental challenge. Onkalo is now being viewed as a potential model for the future of nuclear waste disposal.