Production almost uninterrupted
The power plant was operated safely and almost without interruptions. The most exceptional incident took place in July, when a disturbance in the secondary circuit automation caused a reactor scram on Unit 1. The Unit was returned to production on the following day. No danger was caused to personnel or environment. Long-term work at the power plant to further enhance safety continued.
Successful annual outages
Unit 1 of Loviisa Power Plant underwent a normal reloading outage in 2010, and Unit 2 an extended inspection outage, which is performed every eight years. Annual outages of both Units went according to plan. Unit 1 was down for 26 days and Unit 2 for 40 days, for its more extensive inspections. In addition to the plant's own personnel of 500, a total of about 900 maintenance and inspection field specialists from 79 companies contributed to the successful outage performance.
Progress in power plant automation renewal and waste repository extension
Renewal of the power plant automation progressed in 2010 through modernisation of the Unit 2 reactor core measuring system. Preparations for the next phase, reactor protection automation, is ongoing.
Advanced Process Simulation Software (APROS), a safety simulation program developed by Fortum in cooperation with VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, has proved an efficient tool in improving safety-related activities at Loviisa Power Plant. The application is now in use also in Fortum's co-owned plants in Finland and Sweden, with users in a total of 26 countries.
In late summer 2010, the extension work of the low- and intermediate-level waste repository 110 metres deep in the bedrock began. The extension increases temporary storage capacity for maintenance waste. The duration of the extension project is about one year, resulting in a total excavated volume of 15,000 cubic metres.
44 new employees to the plant
The change of generation continues at Loviisa Power Plant. Altogether 44 new recruits started at the plant in 2010. 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.
Further information:
Jari Kuusisto, Manager, Safety Unit, tel. +358 50 4532610
Timo Eurasto, Operation Manager, tel. +358 50 4554010
Peter Tuominen, Manager, Public Affairs, tel. +358 50 4524760