FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 4 January 2016
Fortum’s Loviisa nuclear power plant had a successful production year in 2015. A total of 8.47 terawatt hours of power was generated, corresponding to about 13 per cent of total energy generation in Finland. On an international scale, the 92.9% load factor of the Loviisa nuclear power plant was among the best in the world for pressurised water reactor power plants. Loviisa unit 1’s load factor was 92.7% and Loviisa unit 2’s 93.1%. Loviisa 1’s production output was the fourth highest in the history of the plant.
Both units underwent a short outage during which one quarter of the fuel in both units was replaced. Unit 1 was out of production for 21 days and Unit 2 for 17 days. In addition to the normal scheduled maintenance and fuel replacement, the turbine reheaters were replaced on both units which improve the reliability as well as the efficiency of the power plant.
“The investment programme currently being carried out at the Loviisa nuclear power plant is the most extensive in the plant’s history. The programme aims to secure safe, reliable and profitable energy generation for the duration of the operating licenses, i.e. until 2027 and 2030. The most significant investments are related to the renewal of the power plant automation, continuous improvement of safety and refurbishment of the turbine generators,” says Loviisa Power Plant Deputy Director Thomas Buddas .
Among the most significant of the investments to improve plant safety were the backup cooling system that is independent of seawater and the diesel fuel storage and distribution system. Both investments improve safety in the event of extreme natural phenomena and in potential oil spills in the Gulf of Finland. With these improvements, the plant can operate without outside assistance for at least three days.
Fortum's investments in the Loviisa power plant in 2015 were at the same level as in 2014 (approximately EUR 80 million). The investment programme will continue to be significant also in the coming years.
The Loviisa power plant has a good safety level, and the plant’s safety and availability are developed in line with the continuous improvement principle. In 2015 there were no significant safety related incidents (on the INES scale used by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)) at the Loviisa power plant.
Loviisa nuclear power plant is a major employer in the region, providing work for over 500 Fortum employees and some 100 permanent employees of other companies working in the plant area every day. Additionally, a total of 750 contractor employees, 90% of them Finns, participated in the annual outages and projects in 2015.
“As a carbon dioxide-free production form, nuclear energy curbs climate change. The Loviisa power plant contributes with steady and reliable base-load electricity, which improves energy security of supply for society and supports the increase of renewable energy in the energy system,” Buddas concludes.
Fortum Corporation Corporate Communications
Further information: Thomas Buddas, Deputy Director, Loviisa Power Plant, Fortum, tel. +358 50 455 3710 www.fortum.com/loviisa www.fortum.com/lovisa
Fortum Fortum’s purpose is to create energy that improves life for present and future generations. Fortum’s expertise is in CO2-free and efficient electricity and heat production. The company also offers energy-related products and expert services to private and industrial customers and energy producers. Fortum’s main areas of operation are the Nordic and the Baltic countries, Russia and Poland. In 2014, the annual sales (excluding the divested electricity distribution business) totalled EUR 4.1 billion, and comparable operating profit was EUR 1.1 billion. The company employs approximately 8,000 people. Fortum’s share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki. www.fortum.com
