Record-high production year 2009 at Fortum's Loviisa power plant in Finland
– By Stephen Heiser –
The year 2009 was one of the best in Fortum's Loviisa nuclear power plant's operation history in terms of safety and production. During the year, not a single international INES classified event occurred. Loviisa power plant produced 8.16 terawatt hours of electricity and the capacity factor describing the power plant's availability was 95.7 per cent. Both figures are record-high in the power plant's operation history.
Production period almost uninterrupted
Production period 2009 was almost uninterrupted, indicating high quality operations and maintenance activities. The only small unplanned production loss was caused by a main coolant pump oil leakage non-safety event at Loviisa 2 in the beginning of the year. The planned annual outages of the units were successful and lasted for 17 and 18 days. One suspected leaking fuel element was removed from the Loviisa 2 reactor core during the outage.
Progress in power plant automation modernization
The use of digital automation in the control and monitoring of the Loviisa power plant process began when the first phase of the automation modernization was taken into use also in Unit 2 during the year. The corresponding change was done in Unit 1 in 2008. Preparations for future automation installations are ongoing.
Safety at good level
In 2009, Loviisa power plant did not have any International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) classified events. Long-term work at the power plant to reduce the radiation doses of the personnel and the number of accidents continued. The occupational injuries reduced from the previous years: in 2009, there were five occupational injuries that led to more than one day of absence to own personnel and contractors. The radiation doses of the personnel continued to decrease in the long-term follow-up.
Twenty new people recruited
The Loviisa power plant's staff is experiencing a change of generation. In 2009, twenty new people were recruited to the plant. The number of employees in the power plant amounted to 490 Fortum workers and 100 workers from other companies. During the planned annual outages, the number of outside workers rose to 1,000.
Preparations for Loviisa 3 project continue
The technical preparations for the Loviisa 3 project continued during 2009. On February 5th, 2009, Fortum submitted to the Government of Finland an application for a decision-in-principle concerning the construction of a new nuclear power plant unit in Loviisa. The decision-in-principle is expected to take place during 2010.
According to international comparison, the capacity factors of the Loviisa power plant are top level in the world. The capacity factor describes the plants' production during a certain period of time compared to nominal capacity.
Fortum is one of the cleanest producers of electricity in Europe. Approximately 90% of the company's Nordic electricity production is carbon dioxide free and approximately 40% produced with renewable energy sources.