Lifetime extension support to EPZ Netherlands
In February 2025, Fortum and Elektriciteits Produktiemaatschappij Zuid (EPZ), the operator of the Borssele Nuclear Power Plant in the Netherlands, signed an agreement on lifetime extension investment study support. Under the agreement, Fortum provided support to EPZ in their lifetime extension planning by reviewing EPZ’s existing investment study plans, and providing experience-based feedback and consultation on the assessment and planning of necessary activities.
Picture: EPZ
Lifetime extension of the Loviisa Nuclear Power Plant
In 2023, the Finnish government granted the Loviisa nuclear power plant a new operating license until the end of 2050. During this new licensing period, the plant is expected to produce up to 177 terawatt-hours of emission-free electricity. The continuous development of the Loviisa nuclear power plant ensures stable production for more than twenty additional years. Extending the lifetime requires extensive modernisations and investments. The investments at the Loviisa power plant are expected to reach one billion euros by 2050. This investment ensures that the power plant remains safe and efficient for the coming decades.
To prepare for the lifetime extension decision making process, Fortum launched an extensive project to analyse the investment needs for the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The comprehensive investment program consists of eight portfolios, which include over 200 individual projects. These projects include the renewal of equipment, components, and systems, as well as improvements to the buildings and infrastructure. Additionally, the plant's automation systems are being updated to meet the modern requirements. Each portfolio contributes to enhancing nuclear safety in its own way.
EPZ lifetime extension support
EPZ as an owner, operator and license holder of the Borssele nuclear power plant is currently evaluating the possibility to extend its operational lifetime with 10 or 20 years. To fully understand the investment needs, EPZ has launched an extensive program to evaluate the condition of the plant that was taken into operation in 1973. The evaluation work was performed by EPZ together with trusted partners, and the results have been gathered in a report, presenting the estimated investment needs for the nuclear power plant’s different technical areas. The decision to continue to pursue a plant lifetime extension for the Borssele NPP, is expected to be done during the coming years.
To ensure that all factors were taken into account in this strategically significant project, EPZ has requested Fortum’s support. The learnings gained from the corresponding Loviisa lifetime extension program nuclear power plant works were used to review and comment on the EPZ evaluation. Important topics such as magnitudes of investment, program management and investment schedule were compared between EPZ and Fortum programs. Fortum offered support works, gave the EPZ experts a second opinion on their evaluations, which is considered highly valuable for the overall nuclear power plant lifetime extension project.
“EPZ greatly appreciated the collaboration with Fortum. For EPZ, this second opinion is very important as an additional check on our own investment plans. Fortum looked at things from the operator's perspective. They carried out the same study for their own plants and are now in the process of implementing it. This gave us a much more detailed insight into what we need to do to extend the operating life of our nuclear power plant. Their know-how and thoroughness have contributed to achieving a sound investment plan for the lifetime extension of our Borssele nuclear power plant”, says Andreas Van Wijk, Project manager for the EPZ Lifetime extension project.
Fortum Nuclear Services – A trusted nuclear partner for operating power plants.
Fortum, as a trusted nuclear power producer and with over 50 years of experience from the operating nuclear power plants, is happy to support European clean energy industry.
“This project is an excellent example of how Fortum’s Nuclear Services can support international nuclear industry clients by offering the know-how and wide expertise developed over four decades of operating our own nuclear facilities. In this project, we leverage our experience from planning and executing lifetime extension projects for our Loviisa NPP, especially from our latest operating license renewal and the ongoing, large-scale Loviisa Long Term operation program, which enables us to operate the power plant until 2050”. Says Antti Ketolainen, Director, Operating Plant and Waste, Nuclear Services at Fortum.
Utilising these recent experiences and Fortum’s extensive nuclear operator know-how, Fortum’s project team has supported EPZ in Borssele NPP’s lifetime extension by evaluating the scope and size of necessary investment needs, considering presented technical solutions, highlighting potential challenges related to investment implementation, and providing alternative options and views regarding the modernization project’s implementation schedule.
The works under the project were started in March 2025 and the outcome of the assignment was concluded in summer 2025.