STUK Confirms Loviisa NPP Can Operate Until 2050

The Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) has given a positive safety review for a proposed operating lifetime extension of the two-unit Loviisa nuclear power plant until 2050.

Stuk said it has given the green light to Finland’s economic ministry which is to grant a final permit to owner Fortum to continue the operation of two VVER-440 pressurised water reactor units at the site after their current licenses expire in 2027 and 2030.

The government is expected to issue final decision on the operating licence extensions in early 2023, Fortum said.

STUK said Fortum has

demonstrated that it is able to continue operating both units of the Loviisa nuclear power plant safely even after the expiry of the current licence period. The licensee has the required capabilities, procedures, competence and resources to continue safe operations and ageing management.”

Stuk has also granted a positive assessment of Fortum’s plans to operate a low and intermediate-level waste repository at Loviisa until 2090.

Read more on NucNet.

The Loviisa NPP, operating two VVER-440 PWRs, was the first nuclear power plant in Finland and currently provides about 13% of the country’s electricity.

The amount of electricity generated there is nearly equivalent to the total combined electricity consumption of the biggest Finnish cities, Helsinki, Espoo, and Vantaa.

Loviisa-1 began commercial operation in 1977, with unit 2 following in 1981. The operating licences for the units were renewed in 1998 and 2007, respectively.

Westinghouse Electric Company (ENS Corporate Member) and Fortum have recently signed a long-term partnership to develop, license and deliver VVER-440 fuel to the Loviisa NPP to guarantee a dependable Western alternative to Russian-supplied fuel.