STUK approves periodic safety assessment of Fortum’s Loviisa power plant

STUK (Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) notes in its decision on the Loviisa nuclear power plant’s periodic safety assessment, published on 6 February 2017, that continued operation of the Loviisa nuclear power plant is safe and meets the requirements set by legislation.

In 2007, the Loviisa power plant’s operating licenses were extended to 2027 (for unit one) and 2030 (for unit two) on the condition that a periodic safety assessment of the plants be performed every ten years. STUK requires that two periodic safety assessments of the Loviisa power plant are performed during the license period.

Fortum submitted the first periodic safety assessment materials for STUK’s approval within the required timetable, i.e. by the end of 2015. In practice, the assessment is a massive set of reports and documents regarding the nuclear
power plant’s safety status, the possible targets of development, and the maintaining of the safety. The scope of the periodic safety assessment corresponds to the assessment performed in conjunction with the renewal of an
operating license. In addition to the documents submitted by the company, STUK has performed various inspections at the power plant.

“The Loviisa power plant has produced electricity with nuclear power for nearly forty years. During this time, safety and availability have been continuously developed with new technical improvements and by continuously investing in know-how and in the development of the safety culture,” says Deputy Director Thomas Buddas, responsible for nuclear safety at the Loviisa power plant.

“The most extensive modernisation programme in the Loviisa power plant’s history is currently under way and will ensure safe and reliable electricity production to the end of the existing operating licenses. The safety improvements included in the programme will be implemented at both plant units in 2016-2018, and STUK is monitoring and overseeing the progress of the projects as part of continuous monitoring,” Buddas continues.

Source: Fortum Corporation