What Does the New Nuclear Energy Act Mean and How Should Organizations Prepare for the Change?

The new Nuclear Energy Act, approved by the Finnish Parliament in June 2026, significantly reforms the regulation of the nuclear energy sector in Finland. The objective of the reform is to clarify the regulatory framework and better respond to a changing operating environment as well as to new types of nuclear projects and technologies. For project developers and operators, the change primarily means a need to identify the new requirements at an early stage and understand how they affect project planning, licensing, and the demonstration of safety.

The new Act will enter into force in 2027. Existing licence holders will have the opportunity to make use of transitional arrangements, while new projects will be required to comply with the amended requirements as they become effective.

It is important to understand not only the individual requirements of the new legislation but also its underlying purpose and intent. Extensive experience in the nuclear sector helps organizations apply the new requirements appropriately in practice and recognize their implications throughout the different phases of a project.

Legislation Is Only One Part of the Evolving Regulatory Framework

In addition to the Nuclear Energy Act, the forthcoming Nuclear Energy Decree and new regulatory requirements issued by the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) will also play a significant role. Although a large portion of these regulations has already been circulated for public consultation, not all of them have yet been formally adopted. STUK’s new regulations are intended to enter into force simultaneously with the new Nuclear Energy Act at the beginning of 2027.

Platom has actively participated in the consultation process for both the Nuclear Energy Act and the supporting regulatory framework. In this work, we have drawn on the expertise of our specialists best suited to each specific subject area. We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who contributed to these consultation efforts.

For project developers and operators, it is essential to monitor the development of the regulatory framework as a whole. In practice, the applicable requirements will result from the combined effect of the Act, the Decree, and STUK’s regulations.

Licensing and Safety Must Be Integrated from the Very Beginning of a Project

New regulations alone will not deliver a successful nuclear energy project. They must be complemented by strong technical expertise, systematic requirements management, a robust approach to demonstrating safety, and effective cooperation with regulatory authorities.

Licensing should not be viewed as an administrative process that begins only in the later stages of a project. Regulatory requirements influence key decisions from the outset, including technical solutions, design bases, procurement strategies, and the scope of safety demonstrations and regulatory documentation that will be required throughout the project.

The earlier future requirements are identified, the more effectively they can be taken into account in project planning and operating practices, and the lower the risk of having to revisit decisions that have already been made at a later stage.

Safety remains the fundamental principle underlying the regulatory reform. As part of the ongoing revision of STUK’s nuclear safety regulations, one of the key objectives is to align requirements more closely with their safety significance and to focus regulatory oversight in a more risk-informed manner. This approach aims to ensure that regulatory resources and project efforts are directed to areas that have the greatest impact on nuclear safety.

Statutory Requirements Must Be Carefully Identified and Understood

The new Nuclear Energy Act also introduces a number of new requirements at the legislative level, some of which are relatively detailed. This marks an important change compared to the previous regulatory framework: requirements established in legislation cannot be deviated from in the same manner as requirements set out in STUK’s YVL Guides.

For this reason, project organizations should carefully review the content of the new Act and assess its implications well in advance of its entry into force.

In a successful nuclear energy project, regulatory compliance, engineering design, safety assessments, project management, procurement, and regulatory interaction are not separate disciplines but interconnected elements of a single whole. The demonstration of safety is developed continuously throughout the project lifecycle and must evolve in parallel with increasing design maturity and project progress.

At Platom, we have been helping clients address licensing, safety, and project implementation challenges in the nuclear sector for more than 25 years. Preparation for the entry into force of the new regulatory framework should begin now by assessing what the changing requirements mean for your organization, your project, and your operating practices. By taking a proactive approach, organizations can ensure compliance, reduce project risks, and support efficient project delivery under the new regulatory regime.

Kirsi Hassinen
CEO
Platom Oy