First-ever ‘tomb’ for used nuclear fuel to be blocked off to humans for 100,000 years as site hailed ‘model for the entire world’

The nuclear energy “tomb”, named Onkalo, has cost the Finnish government £860 million and is said to be “a model for the entire world” in the sustainable storage of spent nuclear energy.

The site – which is near Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant in Eurajoki – is due to be fully sealed off to all humans in 2025.

Journalist Erika Benke visited the underground chamber last year, where she said it took 15 minutes of pure descent to reach the bedrock tomb.

Benke reported she felt “a moment of dread” about the idea of concealing “highly radioactive waste for 100,000 years.”

As she approached the tunnel, Benke tried to imagine what Nordic residents might be like in 10,000 years.

“Will they know about the potential danger lurking in the ground under their feet at Onkalo?” she told the BBC.

“Its entrance is a lot darker than the service area and the floor is uneven and wet, muddy in places” she added.

“The walls are bare bedrock that glints in the torchlight.”

The spent nuclear waste is due to be deposited inside a copper and cast-iron cylinder and encased in bentonite clay.

Each canister will be retrieved by robotic machines and taken to their forever-dwelling place – the Onkalo tomb.

Gareth Law, professor of radiochemistry at the University of Helsinki, said other countries will soon follow suit.

Finland is “at least a decade ahead of everybody else” he said.