In 2018, nuclear sector operators Fortum, Teollisuuden Voima (TVO) and Fennovoima launched the joint KELPO project to develop the licensing and approval procedures for procurements made by nuclear power plants. The third phase of the project started this year; it will continue the development efforts and create a shared digital platform for the power companies, a platform that includes databases, and new harmonised procedures and materials to support procurements.
The KELPO project aims to ensure a comprehensive supplier network and the availability of high-quality equipment now and in the future. Furthermore, the project aims to ensure the use of high-quality, serial products also in lower safety classes and to ensure a high-quality, comprehensive supplier network. Among other things, this development work will make it possible to accelerate the implementation of safety improvements. Solutions are being pursued through collaboration between the power companies and new procedures.
KELPO is a true joint project between the power companies’ and the authority’s experts. “Finnish nuclear power companies want to join forces to increase the use of standardised, serially produced equipment and components, something that is also supported by the authority; this creates a great opportunity to improve quality,” explains Fortum’s Leena Aarnio-Wihuri, Project Manager of the national KELPO joint project.
The KELPO project is one of Fortum’s most important development projects in the area of nuclear power technology. The project provides excellent support for the nuclear power plants’ objective to continuously improve safety and quality, and to promote nuclear power’s competitiveness in the long term by enabling safe and economic use of the plants also in the future. “The KELPO project also supports Fortum’s review work on the continuation of the Loviisa nuclear power plant’s useful life upon expiration of the current operating licenses in 2027 (Loviisa 1) and 2030 (Loviisa 2),” notes Satu Sipola, Head of Fortum’s KELPO project.