Finland's Loviisa nuclear power plant meets its legal requirements stipulated by STUK (Finland’s Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority) and is safe to continue its operations, Finnish Energy Company Fortum said Tuesday.
Fortum advised that in 2007 the Loviisa power plant's operating licenses were extended to 2027 (for unit one) and 2030 (for unit two) on condition that a periodic safety assessment of the plants is performed every ten years.
STUK requires that two periodic safety assessments of the Loviisa power plant be performed during the license period.
Fortum submitted the first periodic safety assessment materials for STUK's approval within the required timetable, by the end of 2015.
"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," said Deputy Director Thomas Buddas, responsible for nuclear safety at the Loviisa power plant.
"The most extensive modernization program 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 program 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 continued.
Fortum's wholly owned Loviisa nuclear power plant produced a total of 8.33 terawatt hours - approximately 13 percent of Finland’s total electricity production in 2016.
The Loviisa power plant employs approximately 500 Fortum employees and 100 permanent contractors. In 2016, Fortum invested €100 million into the Loviisa nuclear power plant.
By Murat Temizer
Anadolu Agency
murat.temizer@aa.com.tr
