Safe and good production year at Fortum's Loviisa nuclear power plant

PRESS RELEASE 2.1.2012

The year 2011 was a safe and good production year at Fortum's Loviisa power plant. There were no incidents reaching the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) of significant events concerning nuclear or radiation incidents.
 
The capacity factor describing Loviisa power plant's availability was 94.3 per cent, which is very high in international comparison, and the plant was in full production throughout the operation cycle except for a short production break at Unit 1. Loviisa power plant produced 8.06 terawatt hours of electricity, which is about 10 per cent of electricity production in Finland.

Safety assessments proved Loviisa power plant safe

After the Fukushima nuclear power plant accident in Japan the safety assessments made at national and European Union levels proved Loviisa power plant's safety level good and safety margins sufficient in cases of external events. The assessments pointed out some areas for further development, for example the planning of air cooling towers independent of sea water and development of flooding protection.

The last part of the year witnessed the completion of a 10 megawatt diesel reserve power plant. This improves electricity supply in situations where the external electric grid is unavailable.

The production almost uninterrupted

The production of the power plant was uninterrupted except for one minor production related disturbance at the end of February. This in order to repair a seal leak in one of the flanged pipes of a steam generator at Unit 1. The production break lasted 2.5 days.

Successful annual outages

Both units of Loviisa power plant underwent normal refueling outages in 2011. Both outages were successful. Unit 1 was in outage for 17 days and Unit 2 for 19 days. In addition to the plant's own personnel of 500, a total of 640 maintenance and inspection field specialists from 76 companies contributed to outage performance.

Power plant waste repository expanded

The low and intermediate level waste repository in connection with the power plant has been expanded in the volume of about 15,000 cubic metres. The expansion increased the temporary storage capability of maintenance waste, which improves the waste sorting possibilities reducing the amount of disposed waste. The utilisation of the repository will begin in spring 2012.

As the renewal of the power plant automation progresses, the training and practising possibilities of operating staff have been improved by constructing a new training simulator building. The building was completed in February 2011 and the installation of the simulator systems began in September. It is estimated to be ready for use in early 2012.

23 new employees to the plant

As the change of generation continues 23 new recruits started at the plant and 10 employees retired in 2011. The many received applications to open positions show that employment at the plant is sought and appreciated. In addition to the 500 Fortum employees, over 100 people employed by other companies work at the plant. Loviisa power plant is a significant employer in the Loviisa region.

Fortum, Power Division
Communications


For further information:
Thomas Buddas, process and development director, tel. +358 50 4553710
Peter Tuominen, Manager, Public Affairs, tel. +358 50 4524760


Fortum
Fortum's purpose is to create energy that improves life for present and future
generations. We provide sustainable solutions that fulfil the needs for low
emissions, resource efficiency and energy security, and deliver excellent value
to our shareholders. Our activities cover the generation, distribution and
sales of electricity and heat as well as related expert services.

Fortum's operations focus on the Nordic countries, Russia, Poland and Baltic
Rim area. In the future, the integrating European and fast-growing Asian energy
markets provide additional growth opportunities. In 2010, Fortum’s sales
totalled EUR 6.3 billion and comparable operating profit was EUR 1.8 billion.
We employ approximately 10,500 people. Fortum’s shares are quoted on NASDAQ OMX
Helsinki.

www.fortum.com