According to the decision of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority made today, 29 April 2022, the Loviisa nuclear power plant meets the safety requirements and Fortum Power and Heat Oy can continue to use the plant units.
The decision of the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK) concerns the valid operating licences of the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The valid operating licence for plant unit 1 will expire in 2027 and that of plant unit 2 in 2030. Fortum Power and Heat Oy (Fortum) has also applied for the extension of the operating licence for the nuclear power plant. STUK will issue a statement on this later.
STUK finds that Fortum's safety assessment is comprehensive. The assessment shows that the safety of the plant units has been ensured and that they can continue to be used. The objective of the Loviisa nuclear power plant has been to continuously improve plant safety. Fortum has renewed the nuclear power plant to a great extent and implemented extensive modifications to the plant's equipment, systems and structures to improve safety.
In addition, STUK's decision states that on the basis of the data submitted in connection with the periodic safety assessment, Fortum is committed to continue work on improving the safety of the plant as required by the Nuclear Energy Act.
Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety agrees with STUK
The opinion of the Advisory Committee on Nuclear Safety (YTN) is attached to STUK's decision. YTN is an advisory committee consisting of experts appointed by the Government for the preparation of matters related to the safety of nuclear energy.
In its statement, YTN states that STUK's safety assessment has processed the safety assessment material provided by Fortum in a professional and careful manner against the requirements of the radiation safety regulations. The Advisory Board agrees with the conclusions on the safety assessment made by STUK.
STUK will issue a statement on the extension of the operating licences later
Fortum plans to continue using the Loviisa nuclear power plant after the expiry of the current operating licences. It has applied for an operating licence for the nuclear power plant until the end of 2050 from the Government. A licence for buildings and storage facilities necessary for the management of nuclear fuel and waste has been applied for through the end of 2090. The licence applications were submitted by Fortum on 18 March 2022.
These licence applications for continued use are not subject to the decision made by STUK today. The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment has asked STUK for an opinion on the licence applications by the end of this year.
STUKs decision and documents related to it (in Finnish)
Contact:
Project Manager Tomi Koskiniemi, tel +358 975 988 642
