STUK green lights continued operation of Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant

Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) green lights continued operation of Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant. STUK: Fortum has the required capabilities, procedures, competence and resources to continue safe operations and ageing management. The current operating licences for both units expire in 2027 and 2030. “As a result of the Loviisa power plant’s continuous improvement of safety and ageing management, the power plant is in good condition and the lifetime extension is possible. Throughout its history, the power plant’s equipment, systems and structures have been modernised and renovated,” says Sasu Valkamo, Vice President, Loviisa nuclear power plant.

Key Highlights:

* During the past five years Fortum’s investments in the Loviisa power plant have totalled about EUR 273 million.

* In 2022, the power plant produced a total of 7.9 terawatt hours of electricity, which is more than 10% of Finland’s electricity production.

* Fortum employs about 700 nuclear sector professionals, 530 of them work at the Loviisa power plant.

* The degree of domesticity was approximately 50%.

Original Press Release:

Jan. 26 -- Fortum Corporation issued the following news release:

The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has given the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment a positive statement regarding the safety review of Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant.

In its decision STUK states that Fortum has ensured the safety of the Loviisa 1 and 2 nuclear power plant units in accordance with the effective provisions, and the licensee has presented procedures to further improve the safety of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. Based on STUK’s assessment, the licensee has the required capabilities, procedures, competence and resources to continue safe operations and ageing management.

In December 2021, STUK issued its decision on the safety review of the power plant’s low and intermediate level radioactive waste final disposal repository.

“As a result of the Loviisa power plant’s continuous improvement of safety and ageing management, the power plant is in good condition and the lifetime extension is possible. Throughout its history, the power plant’s equipment, systems and structures have been modernised and renovated,” says Sasu Valkamo, Vice President, Loviisa nuclear power plant.

The current operating licences for the Loviisa nuclear power plant units expire in 2027 and 2030. Fortum has applied for a new operating licence for both units until 2050 as well as for the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste final disposal facility located in the Loviisa power plant area until 2090. The Finnish Government is expected to issue its operating licence decision in early 2023 based on the statements provided by experts, such as STUK.

STUK continuously oversees the timely and compliant implementation of Fortum’s safety improvement measures. The Loviisa nuclear power plant’s periodic safety review is conducted every ten years in accordance with the Nuclear Energy Act of Finland. According to the plans, Fortum will submit its next safety assessment to STUK in 2030. The safety of the final disposal facility is assessed in accordance with the Nuclear Safety Act at 15-year intervals.

Loviisa nuclear power plant

In 2022, the load factor at Fortum’s fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 89.4%. The continuous development and modernisation of the power plant enable load factors that are among the best for pressurised water reactors on an international scale. During the past five years Fortum’s investments in the Loviisa power plant have totalled about EUR 273 million. In 2022, the power plant produced a total of 7.9 terawatt hours (net) of electricity, which is more than 10% of Finland’s electricity production. Fortum employs about 700 nuclear sector professionals, 530 of them work at the Loviisa power plant. Additionally, nearly 100 permanent employees of other companies work in the power plant area every day. More information: www.fortum.com/loviisa

FACTS

The Loviisa power plant was the first nuclear power plant in Finland. The power plant has two units: unit 1 started commercial operation in February 1977, and unit 2 in November 1980. The units are VVER-440 type pressurized water reactors. The current operating licences are valid until the end of 2027 and 2030. The licences have been renewed in 1998 and 2007.

In the Loviisa nuclear power plant projects best solutions from the east and the west came together. The degree of domesticity was approximately 50%. The reactors and other main components were procured from the Soviet Union, and the power plant was built to meet the most advanced western safety requirements with western technology. The safety and usability of the power plant have been continuously improved with several modernization projects. In 2018, the largest modernisation programme in the plant's history was completed, in which the power plant's automation was renewed in cooperation with Rolls Royce.

Source: Fortum Corporation

[Category: Power, Power Generation, Nuclear Power, Regulatory and Legal]