History

The Loviisa nuclear power plant is the first nuclear power plant in Finland. The Loviisa nuclear power plant has two power plant units, Loviisa 1 and Loviisa 2, which started production in February 1977 and November 1980 respectively. The power plant units are VVER-440 type pressurised water reactors.

History picture of Loviisa NPP

The Loviisa power plant was a multicultural project, in which West and East co-operated in the field of nuclear technology for the first time. The degree of domestic origin was approximately 50%. The reactor, turbine, generator and other main components are from the former Soviet Union. Safety systems, control systems and automation systems are of Western origin. The steel containment and its related ice condensers were manufactured using Westinghouse licences.

The Loviisa power plant was built to meet the most developed Western safety standards. Safety and operability is continuously improved by major modification projects.

1970's and 1980's

Loviisa nuclear power plant's unit 1 (LO1) was connected to the national grid for the first time on 8 Feb 1977. Unit 2 (LO2) was connected to the national grid for the first time three years later, on 4 Nov 1980. Commercial operation of Loviisa unit 2 started on 5 Jan 1981. Loviisa unit 2 was inaugurated on 14 May 1981. In 1981 Loviisa units 1 and 2 produced approximately 15% of Finland's electricity consumption.

1990's

In 1996 transportation of spent fuel to Russia ended. On 2 April 1998, the plant's modernisation project (LOMO) was completed. The plant's capacity was raised by 10%. In addition, improvements in security systems, e.g. SAM, severe accident management system, were implemented.

2000's

2001: The Finnish Parliament passed the application of decision in principle to establish a disposal site at Olkiluoto.
2007: The Council of State granted a new operating permit for 20 years; licences are valid until 2027 (LO1) and 2030 (LO2).
2008: 30 Nov 2008 Loviisa unit 2 has produced 100 TWh since its operating history, starting in 1980.
2009: Loviisa units 1 and 2 produce together about 10% of Finland's electricity consumption.
2009: Control room automation renewal began at Loviisa unit 2.

2010's

2010: Loviisa unit 2 has produced electricity for 30 years.
2015: Safety-enhancing cooling towers, independent of seawater cooling, completed.
2016: Solidification plant for liquid radioactive waste commissioned.
2017: Loviisa Unit 1 has produced clean power for 40 years. In February, the periodic safety review was approved by STUK. In addition, a new full-scale virtual training simulator was completed and used for testing purposes.
2018: Modernisation programme (2014-2018, investments approx. 500 M€), incl. automation modernisation, completed. 
2019: Modernisation of the Polar cranes used for heavy lifting in the containment completed. Final disposal of solidified radioactive liquid waste started.

2020: Loviisa Unit 2 has been producing electricity for 40 years. Despite the corona pandemic, the annual maintenance of the Loviisa power plant was carried out safely and according to the original plan and scope. Two main generator stators were replaced with new 320 MVA stators.
2021: The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the Loviisa power plant was submitted to the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Annual overhauls with the lowest radiation doses in history.
2022: Contract with Westinghouse Electric Company for the design, licensing and supply of a new fuel type. Loviisa power plant becomes the first nuclear power plant to be included in Fingrid's frequency-controlled disturbance reserve.
2023: New operating licence until 2050.

Nuclear power

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