Espoo, Finland, 2014-09-23 10:00 CEST (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --
PRESS RELEASE
23 SEPTEMBER 2014 AT 11.00 EEST
Both units at Fortum's Loviisa nuclear power plant are back in production after their annual maintenance outages. Unit 1 was down for 21 days until 16 August 2014, and Unit 2 for approximately 35 days until 19 September.
Loviisa Unit 1 underwent a so-called short outage that included no extensive alterations or reparations. Unit two had a wider four-year maintenance. During the outages, about one fourth of the fuel in both reactors was replaced.
In addition to the normal scheduled maintenance and fuel replacement on Loviisa 1, the low-pressure casings of turbine 1 were preserviced and modernised, a rotor was exchanged to generator 1, one generator transformer and generator switch were replaced and evaporator inspections were carried out.
"The co-operation of the various participants to the annual outages has improved further, which is clear evidence of how committed our employees are to high-quality operations," says Pertti Salonen, manager of Loviisa power plant's maintenance unit.
At Loviisa 2, the most significant outage work, besides the normal scheduled maintenance and fuel replacement, consisted of modernisation of the primary coolant circuit pressure control, renewal of the relief valves of the main steam lines, replacement of one main transformer and generator switch, renewal of the circulating water piping, turbine maintenance, generator rotor replacement, extensive inspections of the evaporators as well as containment leak testing.
The most important safety improvement for the 2014 annual outages was a significant reduction of the radiation levels of the reactor loop, thanks to persistent material study and development. The reduced radiation levels, combined with improved working methods, is evidenced in smaller radiation dosages for the personnel than in comparable outages before.
"The annual outages as a whole went safely, according to plan and schedule and without major incidents endangering the safety of personnel or the plant," says Timo Eurasto, manager of the operation unit of Loviisa power plant.
A total of 930 contractors were involved in the annual outage and the Loviisa power plant’s ongoing modernisation projects. There are approximately 500 Fortum employees and some 100 permanent contractors working at the Loviisa power plant.
Fortum Corporation
Corporate Communications
For further information, please contact:
Pertti Salonen, Manager, Maintenance Unit, tel. +358 10 455 3100
Timo Eurasto, Manager, Operation Unit, tel. +358 10 455 4010
Background information for journalists:
In 2013, the load factor at Fortum’s fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 92.5%. On an international scale, this was excellent: the worldwide load factor for pressurised water power plants last year was approximately 83%. The plant produced a total of 8.04 terawatt hours, which is approximately 9% of Finland’s total electricity production. With the electricity produced in Loviisa, 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions are avoided annually. In 2013, Fortum invested EUR 60 million into the Loviisa nuclear power plant.
Fortum’s purpose is to create energy that improves life for present and future generations. Catering to the versatile needs of our customers, we generate, distribute and sell electricity and heat, and offer related expert services. Our operations focus on the Nordic and Baltic countries, Russia and Poland. In 2013, Fortum’s sales totalled EUR 6.1 billion and comparable operating profit was EUR 1.6 billion. We employ approximately 8,800 people. Fortum’s shares are traded on the NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. www.fortum.com