Finnish nuclear reactor delayed further until 2016

Completion of European pressurized nuclear reactor in Finland further delayed until 2016

HELSINKI (AP) -- Finnish utility TVO says the completion of the country's fifth nuclear reactor will be further delayed and the company does not expect it to go online until 2016.

TVO says "recent progress reports" from the Areva-Siemens consortium responsible for its construction indicate delays, including in the development of the plant's instrumentation and control systems.

The 1,600-megawatt European Pressurized Reactor — one of the first of its kind — has been plagued by delays caused by faulty materials and planning problems since construction began in 2005. It was meant to begin providing electricity in 2009.

Monday's announcement represented the seventh delay at the Olkiluoto 3 site.

In October, TVO said it was claiming €1.8 billion ($2.4 billion) in compensation from Areva-Siemens for the delays, but added that the amount might change.