Fortum initiates an Environmental Impact Assessment procedure for Loviisa nuclear power plant
FORTUM CORPORATION PRESS RELEASE 13.8.2020
Fortum [Power and Heat Oy] has initiated an Environmental Impact Assessment procedure (EIA procedure) for the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The procedure will assess the environmental impacts of a potential extension of the operation of the power plant or, alternatively, the decommissioning of the power plant, as well as the environmental impacts of the final disposal facility for low- and intermediate-level waste.
“Loviisa power plant’s current operating licenses are valid until the end of 2027 and 2030. In this procedure, we will assess the impacts of both the extension of the commercial operation and the decommissioning of the power plant on the environment, public health and safety, and on the surrounding community and the economy,” says Deputy Director Thomas Buddas from Loviisa power plant.
“In terms of the technology, the Loviisa power plant is in good shape and meets the current safety requirements. The environmental impact assessment that will now be conducted will help us to collect data for a possible new operating licence application,” he continues.
The EIA procedure has two phases and will take about eighteen months. The first programme phase contains the Fortum plan on the environmental impact assessment and on the arrangement of communications and participation. Based on the EIA programme and the statements and opinions about it, an environmental impact assessment will be carried out, the results of which will be presented in the Environmental Impacts Assessment report.
The coordinating authority in the EIA procedure is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment, and the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for the international hearing.
At Fortum, we believe that nuclear power is needed also in the future. As a carbon dioxide emission-free, reliable source of energy that is not dependent on the weather, nuclear power contributes to meeting today’s need for energy and mitigating climate change – together with renewable energy.
Further information:
Thomas Buddas, Deputy Director, Loviisa power plant, tel.+358 10 455 3710
Media: Pia Fast, Communications Manager, tel. +358 40 147 8752
Environmental Impact Assessment procedure website: www.fortum.com/loviisaeia
Loviisa power plant
In 2019, the load factor at Fortum’s fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 92.4%. The continuous development and modernisation of the power plant enable load factors that are among the best for pressurised water reactors on an international scale. During the past five years, Fortum’s investments in the Loviisa power plant have totalled about EUR 450 million. In 2019, the power plant produced a total of 8.2 terawatt hours (net) of electricity, which is more than 10% of Finland’s electricity production. Fortum employs about 700 nuclear sector professionals, 500 of them work at the Loviisa power plant. Additionally, nearly 100 permanent employees of other companies work in the power plant area every day.
Fortum
Fortum is a European energy company with activities in more than 40 countries. We provide our customers with electricity, gas, heating and cooling as well as smart solutions to improve resource efficiency. We want to engage our customers and society to join the change for a cleaner world. Together with our subsidiary Uniper, we are the third largest producer of CO2-free electricity in Europe. With approximately 19,000 professionals and a combined balance sheet of approximately EUR 69 billion, we have the scale, competence and resources to grow and to drive the energy transition forward. Fortum's share is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki and Uniper's share on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. www.fortum.com
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