Finnish Loviisa nuclear power plant to be modernised, Czech industry to take part

Finnish energy company Fortum has signed a contract with Doosan Škoda Power to modernise the low-pressure turbine sections at the Loviisa nuclear power plant. The upgrade is part of investments linked to extending the plant’s operating lifetime and will increase Loviisa’s total installed capacity by approximately 38 MWe.

The Loviisa plant has two VVER-440 pressurised water reactors and is Finland’s oldest nuclear power plant. The two units currently account for more than 10% of the country’s electricity generation. Commercial operation of the first unit began in 1977, followed by the second unit in 1981. In February 2023, the Finnish government granted Fortum an extension of the operating licence for both units, allowing the Loviisa plant to supply electricity until the end of 2050.

Capacity increase and economic benefits

Implementation of the plan to utilise design margins will begin in 2026 and will take place during regular annual outages. The project includes replacing eight low-pressure turbine casings and their internal components. This investment will significantly improve electricity generation efficiency without increasing the reactors’ thermal output.

The upgrade will increase the plant’s total installed capacity by approximately 38 MWe (current installed capacity is 1014 MWe). Expected electricity generation over the licence period until 2050 is set to increase from 170 TWh to 177 TWh.

"Extending the plant’s operating lifetime is a significant investment with a positive impact on both the economics of plant operation and employment in the region," said Sasu Valkamo, senior vice president of the Loviisa plant. "Modernising the low-pressure turbine sections is our first major investment in preparation for the lifetime extension. Our goal is for the plant to operate as steadily, reliably and safely during the new licence period as it has done so far."

Cooperation with Doosan Škoda Power

"Doosan Škoda Power is an experienced turbine supplier and we have had good experience working with them. As part of a previous technology upgrade, Doosan Škoda Power supplied us with high-pressure turbine sections," Valkamo said.

"Fortum has been our long-standing customer and we are very proud to be involved in this important modernisation of its Loviisa nuclear power plant as well. We regard nuclear energy as a strategic segment, and this project only confirms that we have much to offer," said Radek Trněný, head of the Sales Nuclear division at Doosan Škoda Power, the Czech subsidiary of South Korean group Doosan. "Nuclear energy is a strategic segment for us, and this contract is further confirmation that we are on the right track."

Over the past five years, Fortum has invested approximately EUR 200 million (nearly CZK 5 billion) in modernising the Loviisa plant. The company estimates that investments related to continued operation and lifetime extension will reach approximately EUR 1 billion by 2050.