Fortum to apply for new operating licence for Loviisa nuclear power plant

FORTUM CORPORATION INVESTOR NEWS 3.3.2022 8:30 EET

Fortum has decided to apply for new operating licence for both units at the Loviisa nuclear power plant until the end of 2050. Over the course of these years, the plant is expected to generate up to 170 terawatt hours of emission-free electricity. By applying for the extension, Fortum wants to support achieving Finland’s and Europe’s carbon neutrality targets and enable the building of a reliable, competitive and sustainable energy system.

“I am very pleased that we have now decided to apply for new operating licence for Loviisa nuclear power plant. For Fortum, nuclear power is a key pillar of emissions-free electricity production, and continuing production in Loviisa is above all an investment in securing the supply of clean domestic electricity. As a reliable production form, nuclear power also enables growth of wind power-based energy,” notes Fortum’s President and CEO Markus Rauramo.

“The economic, political and societal aspects were factored into our decision. We at Fortum are especially pleased that acceptance of domestic nuclear power is now at a historic high among citizens and political parties alike. Our company is a trusted producer of nuclear power,” Rauramo adds.

The lifetime extension of the Loviisa units is a significant investment in Finland. It has substantial economic and employment impacts. Over the past five years, Fortum has already invested some 325 million euros in the Loviisa power plant. Investments related to continuing of operations and lifetime extension will amount to an estimated one billion euros until 2050.

“Loviisa power plant has been generating electricity with nuclear power reliably over forty years, and its annual output accounts for about ten per cent of Finland’s total electricity consumption. Thanks to persistent and responsible development of operations and modernisations, the power plant is in good condition and we can safely continue its operations. We are very pleased that we can proceed with the preparation of the operating licence application,” notes Simon-Erik Ollus, Executive Vice President of Fortum’s Generation Division.

When submitting the operating licence application, Fortum will also apply for a licence to use the low- and intermediate-level radioactive waste final disposal facility located in Loviisa’s current power plant area until 2090 after which the facility will be permanently sealed. The final disposal of spent nuclear fuel is scheduled to start in Finland in the middle of 2020s; the repository is the first in the world for spent fuel. Fortum will submit its operating licence application to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment by the end of March; from there it will be sent to the Finnish Government for review. The Finnish Government will request statements from a range of various parties, including the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, and will make its decision based on expert statements. The process is estimated to take about one year.

Fortum Corporation
Ingela Ulfves, Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Communications

Enquiries
News Desk tel. +358 40 198 2843, newsdesk@fortum.com
Mark Autio, Editor, Fortum News Desk, tel. +358 40 570 4292

Investors and analysts:
Ingela Ulfves, VP, IR and Financial Communications, tel. +358 40 5151 531
Rauno Tiihonen, IR Manager, tel. +358 10 453 6150
Carlo Beck, IR Manager, tel. +49 172 751 2480
 

FACTS

The Loviisa power plant is the first nuclear power plant in Finland. The power plant has two units: unit 1 started operating in February 1977, and unit 2 in November 1980. The operating licences for the units were renewed in 1998 and 2007. The current operating licences must be renewed by the end of 2027 and 2030.The units are VVER-440 type pressurized water reactors.

The Loviisa power plant was a project, in which the best solutions from West and East were utilised. The degree of domestic origin was approximately 50%. While the reactor and some other main components were from the former Soviet Union, the Loviisa power plant was built to meet the most developed Western safety standards with Western technology. Safety and operability has been continuously improved by major modification projects. In 2018, the plant completed the largest modernization programme in its history with the full renewal of the power plant automation in cooperation with Rolls Royce.

Loviisa nuclear power plant

In 2021, the load factor at Fortum’s fully-owned Loviisa nuclear power plant was 92.9%. 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 325 million. In 2021, 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, 530 of them work at the Loviisa power plant. Additionally, nearly 100 permanent employees of other companies work in the power plant area every day. More information: www.fortum.com/loviisa

Fortum

Fortum and Uniper form a European energy group committed to enabling a successful transition to carbon neutrality for everyone. Our 50 gigawatts of power generating capacity, substantial gas import and storage operations, and our global energy trading business enable us to provide Europe and other regions with a reliable supply of low-carbon energy. We are already Europe’s third largest producer of CO₂-free electricity, and our growth businesses focus on clean power, low-carbon energy, and the infrastructure for tomorrow’s hydrogen economy. In addition, we design solutions that help companies and cities reduce their environmental footprint. Our 20,000 professionals and operations in 40 countries give us the skills, resources, and reach to empower the energy evolution toward a cleaner world. fortum.com; uniper.energy