18 Aug (NucNet): Finland’s Olkiluoto-3 EPR remains on track to begin commercial operation in December 2018 as it nears a comprehensive test phase, the plant’s project director said on 17 August 2017, according to Reuters. The news agency said the unit is running almost a decade behind its original schedule, while owner Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) and the plant suppliers, an Areva-Siemens consortium, are involved in a legal case related to its rising costs. However, problems at the site are now over, project director Jouni Silvennoinen told Reuters. He said hot functional testing is due to start in the coming months. Reuters said the project’s total costs have increased from an initial estimate of €3.2bn ($3.8bn) to around €8.5bn. TVO spokesman Pasi Tuohimaa was quoted as saying plans for a fourth Olkiluoto unit could be revived once Olkiluoto-3 is up and running. The Reuters report is online: http://reut.rs/2vJ8fHY
